Family members of Christina Harms have started a fund to help with the costs of bringing her daughter to South Dakota.
After Harms' death, authorities said her 2-year-old daughter, Harley Harms, was put in the custody of Utah's Division of Child and Family Services.
Family member Marie Chapin said she has spoken with a Utah social worker who said Harley Harms is in a good home right now. Chapin and her husband, Lyle Chapin, Harms' cousin, have hired an Aberdeen attorney to support Christina Harms' father, Ken Harms of Aberdeen, who is seeking custody of his granddaughter.
Marie Chapin, of Luverne, Minn., said the account for Harley is to assist with lawyer fees and bringing her home to family members who would like to see her grow up in the area. Donations can be sent to the benefit of Harley Harms at the VA branch, Sioux Empire Federal Credit Union, 2501 W. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Chapin said the family is working on fundraisers and welcomes any ideas or volunteers.
"Thanks for all the concern from community members during this time of mourning for such a beautiful girl and the daughter she's left behind," Chapin said. "Please remember to stay united against domestic violence and please remember the ones left behind with many prayers."
Court date today
Meanwhile, two of the former Aberdeen residents facing charges related to her death are scheduled to appear in court today.
Dale Beckering, 52, and Sherrie Beckering, 50, were supposed to be in court in Utah last week, but a spokesman with the Salt Lake County district attorney's office was unsure of the outcome of those court appearances or if they took place. But the Beckerings are now set to be in court today, said attorney Robert Stott, public information officer.
The Beckerings are charged with aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult in Harms' death in March. Sherrie Beckering's daughter and Dale Beckering's stepdaughter, Cassandra Shepard, 27, is charged with domestic violence murder, aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult and obstruction of justice in her death. The first two charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, and the obstruction charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.
Shepard is set to appear in court again May 23, Stott said. All three defendants remain in the Salt Lake County Jail. All are former Aberdeen residents. Harms, 22, an Aberdeen Central High School graduate and former Special Olympics athlete, had fetal alcohol syndrome, and Shepard was her legal guardian.
According to the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, Harms was related to Shepard through her adoptive mother's father.
