400-Plus Attend Vigil For Joliet Central's Lesly Reynoso

JOLIET, IL — More than 400 people gathered Wednesday evening at the Spanish Community Center near Jackson Street for a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of Joliet Central High School student Lesly Reynoso. The body of the 16-year-old student was recovered from the Des Plaines River near the bridge over I-80 on Tuesday afternoon.

Lesly's visibly distraught father, Eduardo, took to the podium and addressed the crowd in Spanish. Afterward, one of the volunteers translated his comments into English, explaining he asked for forgiveness from his daughter "if I did something wrong."

"And I urge all the parents that if you see that there is something wrong with your children, to talk to them, look at the signs, don't ignore any small sign that you might see," Reynoso said.

Lesly's father also remarked, according to the translator, "as time went on and they got the news, he said, this has been a very devastating for him, I feel that I did something wrong, if I did something wrong, Lesly, please forgive me. I beg for her forgiveness. This is the worst pain that anybody has to endure."

Wednesday's vigil began at 7 p.m. and lasted about an hour. The new Joliet Township High School Superintendent, Mike Hanson, along with Joliet Central Principal Shad Hallihan were in attendance. Hanson made some brief remarks at the podium. The crowd was reminded this has been an especially difficult week for Joliet high school students to start the new school year.

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk was also in attendance for the duration of the vigil, but he chose not to give any speeches, event organizers told everyone. Will County Board member Herb Brooks, a member of Joliet's clergy, also was in attendance and he offered prayers for the family and for Lesly.

"My message for all the teenagers is ... show each other love. Show each other compassion," another of the speakers said.

One woman who spoke urged the students who were in attendance to make sure they continue to talk and share stories about Lesly.

"When you share these things, Lesly lives. Even though her body will not be with us, her memory is with us."

Before the vigil ended, the crowd was notified there were two donation boxes available.

"If you can help … any bit helps so the family can have the means for a funeral," one of the organizers explained.