By JT Marshall and Daniella Ponticelli

Family holds candlelight vigil in memory of infant son

Jul 6, 2016 | 8:16 AM

A picture of a smiling baby boy in his mother’s arms stood out among the posters of support lined up outside the family home of Nikosis Jace.

The six-week-old infant died in Saskatoon Sunday, becoming the city’s ninth homicide victim of 2016.

The family held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night for anyone who wanted to honour Nikosis Jace.

Teddy bears were left on the front step for the little boy, along with candles and posters decrying “Justice for Nikosis.”

“Such a big loss, our grandson…we all honour him tonight for the life that we got to share. Nikosis Jace, such a tragedy,” the boy’s grandfather said to the crowd.

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“It hurts right here, as a grandfather, to lose my grandson. I have eleven of them; he was taken suddenly.”

The boy’s grandfather thanked the crowd of more than 100 people for showing support, and asked them to pray for the infant’s parents during this time.

“And to seek justice, so that she (the accused) doesn’t get away with something like this,” he said.

The boy’s great-grandmother also spoke, sharing a recent dream she had where little Nikosis appeared to her.

“He was standing like this, and he called me, ‘Mom, quit crying now. I’m in a good place,’” she said.

The vigil was a sight far removed from just two days earlier, when the home on Waterloo Crescent was a crime scene.

On July 3, multiple police cruisers parked along the quiet residential streets as investigators worked.

Officers had arrived around 7 a.m. to the home, where they found the injured infant.

The baby was taken to Royal University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Saskatoon police opened an investigation into the death, and took a 16-year-old girl – not related to the family – into custody.

Hours later, she was charged with second-degree murder for her alleged involvement.

The boy’s grandfather, along with a large group of friends and family, was in court Tuesday morning and spoke out about how the accused came to be in the home.

He said his girls met the teen downtown and decided to help someone who seemed to be in trouble.

“(The girl) had nowhere to go. Okay, I raised my children to respect, to help out people in need, and this is what…she gave me back thanks like this – taking my grandson away from us,” he said.

The teen was remanded into custody Tuesday.

She’s expected in court via video link on Monday, July 11.

jmarshall@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @JTMarshallCKOM

dponticelli@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @Ms_dponticelli