CHILDREN MOURNED: Community Mourns Deaths

As funeral plans are being made for three children who drowned in Marshalltown this week, we’re learning more about the language and cultural barriers that made finding the children more difficult.

A call from family of the three children shows how upset the parents were.  But it also shows the language barriers police faced.  Dispatchers were able to figure out from the call that children went under water in an area of the Iowa River popular for swimming and fishing, and sent police and an ambulance.  But by the time help arrived it was already too late.  9-year old Lee Meh; her seven year old brother Se Reh; and a seven year old cousin, Thay Mo had drowned.

Family Friend Khay Da says the childrens’ mothers are inconsolable. “Since she knew that her kids were passed away she was sleeping in her bed and crying out all the time and she doesn’t eat anything.” Da says of one of the mothers.

All three children will be laid to rest in one ceremony on Sunday.  Visitation will be held at Mitchell Family Funeral home in Marshalltown from 1:00 – 2:00p-m.  A graveside ceremony will follow at Center School Cemetery.

A fund has been set up to help the family pay for funeral costs.  It was established by the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.  You can send a check to the department at 321 East 12th street in Des Moines 50310.  Please write “Marshalltown Families” in the memo space on the check.