Mary Melero with her Brother and Father

Thank you to everyone that came today and to those who were unable to join us in person, but that are still with us today in their thoughts and prayers. The family appreciates the community's continuing support in honoring Mary and seeking a change to the system that killed her.

Mary was a happy and innocent lady who was always ready to make people laugh. Her laugh was so contagious that her giggles and smiles would light up everyone she was around. She would not let her disability limit her. Mary loved her young nieces and nephews purely and would freely give love to everyone around. She did not have an evil bone in her body. Mary did not believe in violence with her childlike innocence.

However, Mary's caretakers abused her innocence. They were allowed to torture and kill Mary in a system that allowed a felon to control Mary without any oversight and/or supervision. The Department of Health failed to protect Mary from the monsters they put her with. Innocent Mary suffered indescribable torture and injuries with no one to help her. Justice is owed to Mary and we must protect the vulnerable people of our society that are developmentally disabled. The community has raised its voice that change is necessary and necessary now. 

We are demanding that lawmakers change this system and we are excited to hear feedback supporting this from a variety of lawmakers that are reviewing the laws and advocating for change. We will not allow Mary's sacrifice to be in vain and will work to make sure that this horrible experience does not happen again.