A viewing will be held Sunday evening for Skyler Kauffman -- the 9-year-old girl who was brutally beaten, raped and strangled in Telford on Monday.
A huge turnout is expected as family, friends and the community are coping with the third grader’s tragic death.
Since Skyler's death the small communities of Telford and Souderton have reached out to her family.
Firefighters from Bucks and Montgomery counties are collecting donations for Skyler’s family. About 30 fire fighters are manning donation containers at two grocery stories on Saturday and Sunday.
“Our goal is to give the family money and let them decide what to do with it. Citizens bank has set up a trust fund,” Marv McKown of the Telford Fire Department said.
On Monday, the 9-year-old was raped, beaten and strangled in a basement of the apartment complex where she lived.
“It's a small community. We're all affected by the tragedy. As firefighters we all go thru this ourselves, sometimes when there's a tragic accident, we all band together.”
The accused killer, 24-year-old James Troutman, was charged with her murder Monday.
Police say that Troutman snatched the third grader, dragged her to a basement in an apartment building and raped her. He later told investigators that he killed the girl, wrapped her in a blanket and tossed her in a dumpster on the property, according to court papers.
The community has gathered to pray for the Kauffman family all week. Residents hope the abundance of donations will help comfort the little girl's family at a time of unbearable grief.
“I think the only thing you can do if it's not your own is help as best you can help another person," McKown said.
Skyler’s funeral is set for Monday at Calvary Church in Souderton.
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