Sep 11, 2007 10:08 pm US/Central
Family Wants Justice For Navarro County Child
Death Triggers Feelings Of Guilt For Mother
NAVARRO COUNTY (CBS 11 News) ―
Authorities in Navarro County are investigating the death of a young girl.
The body of Hanna Mack was discovered at her home near Navarro Mills Lake. The child's mother, Dana Mack, found the little girl just before 7:00 in the morning.
A law enforcement source tells CBS 11 News that Hannah was sexually assaulted before she was left hanging inside the garage.
Hanna's family told CBS 11 they want justice for the child's murder.
They also say police told them Dana's boyfriend is one of several persons of interest in the case.
Dana has been receiving support and comfort from friends and coworkers.
Friends say she's working through feelings of guilt. Friends say she feels she is a bad mother because she couldn't keep the danger away from her daughter.
"She just kept wondering how this could happen to her baby," said Jeremy Madison, one of Dana's coworkers. "There's just no comforting when you lose your baby like that.
The 6-year-old girl had reportedly just started first grade at Blooming Grove Elementary. She was the youngest of three sisters.
Neighbor Nikki Watson describes Hanna as a "beautiful little girl. Just happy every time I've seen her; just jumping around as happy as can be, always smiling, gorgeous little baby."
The Navarro County Sheriff's Department confirmed the death is being investigated as a homicide.
When CBS 11 News arrived at the young girl's house, the only sign something was wrong was a small piece of police crime tape still attached to a tree.
It didn't take long for news of the death to spread in the tiny Texas town.
"Everybody I've talked to today has been all in tears," said Watson.
Neighbor Jimmiesue Akerman told CBS 11 News her heart goes out to the parents. "I grieve for them, very, very, much so. That's a horrible, horrible, thing to deal with… any parent, no matter what that's hard to deal with."
Hanna's body was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office where an autopsy will determine her official cause of death.
So far no one has been charged with the girl's death.
The Navarro Mills community is located about 65 miles south of Dallas.
"Never expected anything like this down here," said Watson. "This is a tiny community. You can never be prepared for a tragedy like this."
Hanna's autopsy report is scheduled to be released Wednesday.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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