KANSAS CITY, Kan. — As family members wait for formal charges to be announced, loved ones gathered in Kansas City, Kansas, to honor the life of Olivia Jansen.
Authorities on Friday found a body believed to be Olivia's in a wooded area near a walking trail. KCK police had been looking for her since early Friday after her father, Harold Jansen III, reported her missing.
An Amber Alert was issued in Kansas and Missouri.
Jansen and Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, Olivia's stepmother, both are on a 48-hour hold at the Wyandotte County Detention Center and face potential charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a child.
"I have great grandkids and they are the love of my life," Sharon Savery said, "and I don’t understand how anyone can hurt an innocent child like that."
RELATED: KCK 3-year-old Olivia Jansen's body found, father arrested
Friends, family and strangers gathered Saturday at South 34th Street and Steele Road, where a memorial is growing in the three year old's honor.
"I just wanted to bring some flowers and send our prayers out to them," Rachel Dixon said.
Many who stopped to add flowers and candles to the memorial were amazed by the outpouring of support from the community.
“I mean, it’s sad that they have to come around for this situation, but it’s good to see how much love," Curtis Murray said.
RELATED: KCK community mourns 3-year-old Olivia Jansen's death
Neighbors told 41 Action News that Olivia has been living with her father and Kirkpatrick at a home near 47th and Ottawa.
In a post on Facebook, Kirkpatrick said she and Jansen were married on July 4, 2020.
"It’s sickening for somebody that you knew your whole life and do this to a little girl it’s not right," said Ronnie Bray, who claimed he grew up with Kirkpatrick.
RELATED: Two family members of Olivia Jansen in custody after her body discovered Friday
Neighbors of Kirkpatrick told 41 Action News she would watch other children on occasion.
"She’s watched my kid before," Bray said. "Probably my daughter was 3, 4 years old and you know everything was fine and just to see this now it just scared me of what could have happened back then."
As loved ones wait for answers in the case, they said they're praying for justice.
“It’s heartbreaking," Monica Murray said. "Your heart just falls out of your body. You don’t know what to do. You want to try to find some kind of justice, and you want to help out as much as you can."
The office of the Wyandotte County District Attorney told 41 Action News Saturday that charges will likely be announced Sunday.
