Funeral for Erica Parsons Held in Salisbury

SALISBURY, NC – Grief, anger, and emotion as a community came together to finally say goodbye.

“We’re angry. Maybe a little bit at ourselves because we ask ourselves the question, ‘Why didn’t I know?'” asked Pastor Kenneth Lance.

Hardly anyone at Saturday’s funeral at First Baptist Church – Salisbury really knew Erica Parsons or about the abuse investigators say she suffered while living in her adopted parents home.

The 13-year-old Salisbury girl disappeared in 2011.

She was dead more than a year and a half before she was reported missing in 2013.

Her adoptive father Sandy Parsons led investigators to Erica’s body last September in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

“This case has affected all of us in a way that is immeasurable,” said Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten.

Auten held back tears as he talked about the investigation.

“Probably one of the, well it is the most unusual, difficult case I’ve seen in my 30 years,” Auten said.

Now there’s hope Erica’s story will raise awareness to prevent child abuse in the future.

“I think one of Erica’s last words to us could be this.. ‘Next time.. pay attention,'” Lance said.