Candlelight Vigil To Be Held In Montco To Honor Eliza Talal

TOWAMENCIN, PA — A candlelight vigil will be held at Fischer's Park next week in honor of Eliza Talal, the five-year-old girl with autism whose body was found near Towamencin Creek after Tropical Storm Isaias earlier this week.

The vigil will be held on Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. Candles will be provided. Attendees are reminded to following social distancing guidelines and wear masks.

"Eliza's loss is felt deeply throughout the community, but her gift to us is this beautiful sense of unity," vigil organizers said.

There is already a small memorial to Eliza at the park, decorated with balloons from her favorite movie, "Frozen," as well as roses. At the vigil, there will be a table where participants can leave cards and gifts for Eliza's family.

Those considering attending the event are asked to arrive on foot if they can, or consider carpooling, if possible, due to the size of the parking lot at the park.

Eliza, who was nonverbal, wandered out of her home at the height of the storm Tuesday afternoon. Her family's home is located near Towamencin Creek, which flooded severely during the torrential rainfall.

In addition to the hundreds of law enforcement officers, first responders, and various emergency personnel who canvassed the Towamencin area in the hours after she went missing, there were several hundred more community members who joined in the effort.

From organizing volunteer search parties to looking around their property and checking security cameras, countless residents were involved in the work, which ended in tragedy on Wednesday morning when Eliza's body was found near Towamencin Creek. And local authorities are recognizing that this has inevitably taken a hefty emotional toll.

"We recognize that this has hit our community hard: as parents, as neighbors, and as supporters of the autism community," police said in a statement Friday, sharing information on resources "for anyone who find themselves in need of a little extra support in processing her untimely passing."

>>Child Found Dead In Montco Is Missing Girl, Eliza Talal: Police

Specifically, police noted ACCESS Mobile Services, a mobile crisis hotline, which can be reached at (855) 634-4673. There's also the Montgomery County Peer Support talk line, which residents can both call at (855) 715-8255 and text to (267) 275-7785.

Towamencin Police are also partners in the L.O.C.A.T.E. program (Law Officers Concerned About The Endangered), which works to offer special police services in emergencies. You can contact the department at (215) 368-7606 for help.

Several local businesses are working to support Eliza's family. Blueprint Brewing Company said on Friday that through Sunday, they will donate 10 percent of all proceeds to the family or any designated charity. Local photographer and artist Shannon Vogel said she is donating 15 percent of all sales through Aug. 14 to the Talal family, as well.

The township postponed Thursday night's scheduled Don't Call Me Francis concert in the wake of the incident and in honor of Eliza.

"Our hearts and minds have been heavy since hearing of Eliza’s disappearance on Tuesday and then were crushed to learn the most devastating of outcomes," the township said in a statement. "Township staff wish our deepest sympathy, prayers and peaceful thoughts to the Talal family and all who loved their daughter."

A GoFundMe to benefit Eliza's family was launched on Wednesday afternoon. As of early Friday afternoon, nearly $31,000 had been donated from 670 different benefactors. Funds will be used for therapies for Eliza's siblings and for her funeral expenses, her family said.