Memorial Fund Set Up For Family of Slain Special Ed Teacher

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of Emily Ford, a Newport-Mesa Unified instructional aide, and her father who authorities say were .

Ford, 32, who had worked for Newport-Mesa Unified since 2007, was an instructional aide for the preschool program at Paularino Elementary in Costa Mesa. She had worked at Anderson and Mariners elementary schools in Newport Beach. Her father, Russell Ford, 62, also was a teacher, according from a statement from Newport-Mesa Unified. He retired last year after working in the Santa Ana Unified School District for more than 30 years, the statement said.

The memorial fund was set up at the Downey Federal Credit Union by friends and colleagues of Emily Ford's mother, Theresa Ford, who is Principal at Rio Hondo Elementary School in Downey Unified School District.

Contributions can be made by check, payable to the Ford Family Memorial Fund, account 109350-2, and dropped off at Paularino Elementary, 1060 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, Ca 92626.

Robert Allan Lehmann, 36, has been charged with two felony counts of special-circumstances murder in the deaths of Emily and Russell Ford, the D.A.'s office said.