Candlelight vigil held for missing children on JJ Vallow’s 8th birthday

REXBURG, Idaho —Dozens of people gathered Monday evening for a candlelight vigil to show their support for JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, who have been missing for eight months.

The siblings are at the heart of an ongoing investigation that has drawn national headlines. Memorial Day also marked what would be JJ Vallow’s 8th birthday.

“I hope we send them a message of love — let them know that we’re thinking about them,” said one of the organizers, Annie Southam.

Another organizer, Janeese Summers, said she was looking to the children’s jailed mom, Lori Vallow Daybell, for answers.

“Where are the children?” Summers asked. “(It’s a) pretty simple question. I don’t know why she can’t answer it.”

The mother was arrested in Hawaii in February and was later extradited back to Idaho to face charges of desertion and nonsupport of a dependent child.

She remains held on $1 million bond with the next hearing in the case scheduled for July.

“We’re such a small community,” Summers said. “For two kids just to come up missing, it’s heartbreaking.”

Earlier Monday morning, Rexburg Police Department posted a Facebook message renewing its call for tips while stating that it continued to “hope and pray for the safe return of both of these beautiful children.”

By lighting candles, those in attendance at the vigil wanted to keep the case illuminated.

“We want to make sure that it stays in the light,” Southam said. “We don’t want Tylee and JJ to be forgotten.”