JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Funeral services will be held for Cherish Perrywinkle, the 8-year-old girl who authorities say was kidnapped and killed by a sex offender with a long criminal record.
The Paxon Revival Center Church will celebrate Cherish's life at 2 p.m. Friday.
The 8-year-old girl's body was found Saturday morning. Donald James Smith has been charged with murder and kidnapping.
Church pastors say Cherish has attended the church for four years and that she was a sweet little girl. Court documents say Cherish loved Disney movies and the color pink.
Records show that Cherish's parents were never married and fought years for her custody.
The man accused of killing Cherish was convicted of sex crimes against children and had gotten out of prison less than a month earlier.
AP-WF-06-28-13 0706GMT
