Under the hot mid-day sun, the smiling face of 4-year-old Darnell Gray beamed from the center of bright blue and green poster board as two women sat at the corner of Monroe and High streets.
Mary Williams Coley and Kathy Mueller sat in front of the Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City during the Tuesday lunch hour with signs bearing the little boy's face and the words "Justice for Darnell Gray." The sentiment was repeated on their blue T-shirts and through their words.
"We want justice for him," Coley said. "We've got faith in the system, but then you knock your head up against the wall because you see this baby and this baby had to be killed senselessly."
In October 2018, the Jefferson City community came together along with the Police Department and other authorities to search for the 4-year-old boy, who had been reported missing by his babysitter, Quatavia Givens.
A week later, Darnell's body was found by officials, and Givens allegedly admitted she had injured the boy while babysitting him. An autopsy showed he had suffered multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
In October 2019, Givens was charged with second-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released from jail on a reduced bond while awaiting trial. Givens must meet certain conditions ordered by the court, including electronic monitoring.
Throughout the court process, members of Missouri Missing, including Coley and Mueller, have been present at trials and made sure to keep Darnell's name on the minds of the community. Missouri Missing is a nonprofit organization created to give support and resources to the families of missing individuals.
The group helped organize volunteers during the search for Darnell and held a candlelight vigil on the anniversary of the discovery of his body.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a hearing that had been scheduled for Givens this Tuesday was moved to Sept. 22, but Coley and Mueller went to the courthouse Tuesday to keep attention on the case.
"We just need to bring awareness," Coley said. "We need to let our community continue to see this young boy's face."
Mueller added: "We don't want him to be forgotten."
While the silent protest centered around Darnell and his case, their message went deeper.
"In our community, we need to bring awareness to Black-on-Black crime," Coley said. "We need help to stop the Black-on-Black crime in our community."
Coley called out for support from Black Lives Matter, which has been increasingly active across the country in protest of police brutality against Black Americans, as well as the Jefferson City NAACP and other organizations.
"We need help," Coley said. "We need people to stand up and do their part, whatever part it may be, so that the next young boy that comes up can have the opportunity in the community."
Members of Missouri Missing hope to use Darnell's name and memory to make a difference in the lives of low-income children in Jefferson City. Mueller said they are looking into different fundraising efforts.
Coley and Mueller shared their appreciation for the JCPD, Missouri Highway Patrol and other authorities involved in finding Darnell, as well as all of the volunteers who searched or supported his family.
The two women also shared several messages via Facebook Live while on the corner, asking for support from other members of the community, either through attendance at future protests and court hearings or by writing letters to voice support.