Saturday, February 20, 1999
Girl's beating death inspires offers of help, money
BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
From donations toward funeral costs to a burial dress, Jasmine Wilkerson is getting the attention in death that she didn't have in life.
With the girl's mother in jail, accused of stomping her to death, a family of strangers has rallied.
DONATIONS
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The death of 7-year-old Jasmine Wilkerson has touched many hearts in the community. Outpourings of support include:
• A West End funeral home is collecting donations. They can be sent to Joseph R. Garr Funeral Service, c/o Jasmine Wilkerson Fund, 930 Findlay St., Cincinnati 45202. Visitation will be held there from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy also is collecting donations for Jasmine's sister and brother. The high school's address is 11525 Snider Road, Cincinnati 45249.
• Ron's Hunt Club, 7605 Reading Road in Roselawn, is holding a benefit Sunday. The club is asking for $5 donations. Doors open at 5 p.m., when the club will serve food. Entertainment begins at 8 p.m.
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A Sycamore Township school is collecting money. A nightclub is holding a benefit. A local funeral home has taken more than 200 calls from people wanting to help.
“I'm just tired of these poor babies dying,” said Constance Foster, 62, a mother of 10 and grandmother of 27 who is forming a support group in Jasmine's Winton Hills neighborhood. “I think it's time for the community to step up and do something about it.”
Mrs. Foster, known as “Miss Connie,” is organizing a grandmothers' club to step in as caregivers, especially in the housing development where Jasmine lived.
“A lot of mothers need a break,” she said. “I want to let them know that if the kids get on their nerves, knock on my door. I'll watch them.”
Jasmine's own grandmother said she is touched by the support. Lacking money for the burial, the family is accepting community help.
“I'm just at my wits' end right now,” said Mary Moore, who lives in Detroit. “I thank everybody for what they're doing. It's wonderful.”
She said she'll remember Jasmine as a sweet little girl, but tears interrupt her memo ries. “It's just too painful to talk about,” she said.
Ms. Moore's daughter, Belanda Moore, 29, is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on charges of murder, felonious assault and endangering children.
Prosecutors say Jasmine's mother tied the girl's hands behind her back and whipped the child with a belt.
They say Belanda Moore then stomped and kicked the 55-pound girl in the chest so many times that her daughter passed out. It wasn't until hours later on Feb. 12, they say, that she noticed the child had stopped breathing.
Police records say Jasmine had cuts, bruises and burns as well as a lacerated kidney and liver. According to court documents, her mother told police she whipped the girl with a belt and repeatedly forced her knee and foot into her daugh ter's stomach.
Kenneth Lawson, Belanda Moore's attorney, is asking the court to allow her to view her daughter's body before it is taken to Detroit for the funeral and burial.
Locally, Joseph R. Garr Funeral Service in the West End is handling donations and the visitation.
High school senior Rebecca Pierce is collecting money at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy for Jasmine's two siblings. Her 3-year-old sister and 9-year-old brother are with relatives.
“I hate to see that children are out there being abused,” said Ms. Pierce, 18, of Sharonville.
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