Family and friends mourned a 2-year-old girl, whose death following an outing last week at a lake in southeast Oklahoma City is being investigated by police.
Sobs were heard all over the chapel Tuesday, but none louder than the mother of 2-year-old Allie Croom.
“I can’t do this. I can’t do this, Mom,” Amber Croom cried as she left the chapel, her knees nearly buckling as she was led from the room.
Behind her, surrounded by bouquets and wreaths of pale flowers, a small white casket held the body of her daughter, who died Thursday after a visit to Lake Stanley Draper.
Police have arrested Amber Croom’s boyfriend, Donald Reeser, 29, in connection with the drowning. Reeser is in the Oklahoma County jail on a first-degree murder complaint alleging he repeatedly forced Allie under water, but he hasn’t been formally charged.
The state medical examiner’s office has said Allie died as a result of asphyxiation by drowning, but it hasn’t been determined if the drowning was accidental or a homicide.
The pews and an adjacent room of the funeral home chapel were filled with friends and relatives of Allie’s parents — Amber Croom and Jonathan Croom, who are divorced.
“The Lord chooses the most precious for his own garden, and Allie was the most precious of the precious,” the Rev. Buddy Kuhlman told those gathered.
A video slideshow of Allie’s life was shown as a musical medley ending with a rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” was played.
Allie loved to sing, relatives have said.
The child was buried in a Midwest City cemetery.
“She is in heaven now. She feels no pain, no suffering. She’s waiting for those she loves,” Kulhman said.
“And God loves little Allie even more than you do.”
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Family and friends mourned a 2-year-old girl, whose death following an outing last week at a lake in southeast Oklahoma City is being investigated by police.
Sobs were heard all over the chapel Tuesday, but none louder than the mother of 2-year-old Allie Croom.
“I can’t do this. I can’t do this, Mom,” Amber Croom cried as she left the chapel, her knees nearly buckling as she was led from the room.
Behind her, surrounded by bouquets and wreaths of pale flowers, a small white casket held the body of her daughter, who died Thursday after a visit to Lake Stanley Draper.
Police have arrested Amber Croom’s boyfriend, Donald Reeser, 29, in connection with the drowning. Reeser is in the Oklahoma County jail on a first-degree murder complaint alleging he repeatedly forced Allie under water, but he hasn’t been formally charged.
The state medical examiner’s office has said Allie died as a result of asphyxiation by drowning, but it hasn’t been determined if the drowning was accidental or a homicide.
The pews and an adjacent room of the funeral home chapel were filled with friends and relatives of Allie’s parents — Amber Croom and Jonathan Croom, who are divorced.
“The Lord chooses the most precious for his own garden, and Allie was the most precious of the precious,” the Rev. Buddy Kuhlman told those gathered.
A video slideshow of Allie’s life was shown as a musical medley ending with a rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” was played.
Allie loved to sing, relatives have said.
The child was buried in a Midwest City cemetery.
“She is in heaven now. She feels no pain, no suffering. She’s waiting for those she loves,” Kulhman said.
“And God loves little Allie even more than you do.”
