Acacia Bishop Tree Honors Missing Children

Acacia Bishop Tree Honors Missing Children


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Sandra Yi ReportingThe parents of two-year old Acacia Bishop hope to help all missing children this holiday. You may remember, Acacia disappeared in the spring. Police believe she was drowned by her grandmother in the Snake River in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Acacia Bishop's memory is alive and well at this year's Festival of Trees. There is one tree there made by a stranger in Acacia's honor. It's decorated with two of her favorite things - - birds and flowers.

Adam Bishop, Acacia's Father: "Every time she saw flowers, she'd get down on her hands and knees and smell it and go, 'ooh'. She was just an angel."

Acacia was kidnapped in the spring, allegedly by her mentally ill grandmother. Police believe Kelly Lodmell drowned the girl in the Snake River. Acacia's parents, however, have never given up hope their daughter is still alive. They have since moved to Idaho Falls where the couple continues to look for Acacia.

Today they returned to Salt Lake to see the 'Remember Acacia Tree' and thank the woman who is keeping their daughter's spirit alive.

Casey Lodmell, Acacia's Mother: "It's going to be very difficult, but with the support of family and friends and realizing that there's still hope, cause that's all holidays really are, is a time of hope."

Cathy Bang, Tree Creator: "Acacia is just one of many, many children that will not be home for Christmas. We have not lost hope that Acacia can come home for Christmas, but we need to remember."

Acacia's parents hope the tree will remind people of all missing kids this holiday. They are collecting signatures to create a 'Missing Children's Task Force' so that there will be a nationwide unit that can respond immediately when a child is reported missing. They hope the law will be called the Acacia Bishop Initiative.

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