CORTLAND Funeral plans for girl finalized

Services will be Monday at Monument of Faith Church in Christ.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- While city police investigate the death of a 3-year-old girl, members of the family and community prepare to say goodbye.
Detectives spent most of Thursday interviewing witnesses and people who were involved in the care of Auntavia Atkins, who died early Tuesday.
"We are still talking to people and putting the pieces together," said Police Chief Gary Mink. "We are also talking to the county prosecutors and Children Services officials."
Auntavia's caregiver, Ethel Wilbert-Bethea, 40, of North Bank Street, Cortland, pleaded innocent Wednesday to one charge of child endangering. That charge stems from a burn mark on the child's hand, police said.
She is being held in the Trumbull County Jail with bond set at $1 million. Prosecutors said additional charges are pending.
"This is very, very difficult right now," said Carla Diggs, Auntavia's aunt. "We made the funeral arrangements today and bought her a white dress."
Services will be Monday at Monument of Faith Church in Christ on Dover Street in Warren. Calling hours will be at 11, followed by a noon service.
"If anyone wants to help with a donation, we are asking that they make checks payable to Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home to help pay for Auntavia's burial," Diggs said.
Memorial flag
Miriam Fife, the victim's witness representative for the prosecutor's office, said Parents of Murdered Children would raise a flag at 1 p.m. today in front of the county administration building in the child's memory.
"We will also have a brief ceremony and take a few moments to remember Auntavia," Fife said.
Auntavia and two of her siblings were staying at the North Bank home while their mother, Angel Diggs, worked on getting a full-time job and a place to live.
Angel Diggs has said that she thought it was in her children's best interest to place them in Bethea's home. Angel Diggs said her family knew Bethea for more than seven years.
Police were called to Bethea's home about 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29. Officials found Auntavia in serious condition and took her to a local hospital. From there she was taken to Cleveland Metro Health Center.
The Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office ruled Wednesday that Auntavia's death was a homicide.
The coroner, Dr. Elizabeth Balraj, said the girl died of a head injury. She said the child also had a burn mark on her body.
According to reports the family obtained from Trumbull County Family Court, Auntavia had retinal hemorrhaging, chronic rectal bleeding, malnutrition, missing hair and burn marks on her body.
sinkovich@vindy.com