Slain Girl’s Parents Thank Supporters

Flanked by family and friends, the parents of slain toddler Sierra Beth Soto thanked the community on Thursday for supporting them through the loss of their only child.

Reaffirming their faith in God, Cindy and Eric Soto tried to draw meaning from the 4-year-old’s death by suggesting legislative changes aimed at averting future tragedies involving innocents such as Sierra, a shiny-eyed girl who wanted to dance as soon as she could walk.

“A community coming together, and the outpouring of support and love for Sierra . . . has lifted us and given us strength we did not know we had,” Cindy Soto said softly at the Newport Beach dance studio she owns. “I am amazed at the love that surrounds Sierra and myself and am eternally grateful for all the love and support from the community.”

Cindy and Eric Soto lost their baby, chestnut-haired Sierra, on Monday. That’s when a distraught Steven Allen Abrams deliberately rammed his 1967 Cadillac into a sand-filled play yard at Southcoast Early Childhood Learning Center, authorities say. He is being held at County Jail without bail on two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. If convicted of multiple murder, he would be eligible for the death penalty.

Sierra died instantly, crumpled by the impact. Three-year-old Brandon Wiener lasted a few hours before succumbing to his injuries. Five others were hurt, including two toddlers who are still hospitalized.

Clearly drained by grief, the Sotos obliquely referred to Abrams’ history of mental illness. They called for mandating harsher penalties for crimes against defenseless children and invalidating the insanity defense in criminal cases, although Abrams has not been arraigned yet and has offered no defense. They also suggested that people with unstable, violent pasts be forbidden from drinking, carrying guns or wielding a “4,000-pound weapon such as a car.”

The tragedy has struck a chord across the region--prompting acts of altruism from both neighbors and strangers. A wall of flowers litters the day-care site. From the neighbors of victim Brandon Weiner to rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight, many say they are joining the effort to raise money for the victims and survivors.

On Thursday, Knight, owner of the Beverly Hills-based Death Row Records, said through one of his attorneys that he has donated $10,000 in money and merchandise to the Southcoast Childcare Centers Inc. in Costa Mesa to do “something to try and soften what the kids have been through.”

Knight is incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Hearing about the tragedy in Costa Mesa from his lawyer, Knight was struck by the desire to help the grief-stricken students at the school.

He is reportedly a key suspect in the 1997 slaying of rapper Notorious B.I.G., according to Los Angeles police detectives. He was sentenced to nine years in prison in 1996 for a probation violation.

Knight intends his donation to supply bikes, picnic tables, art supplies, toys, dolls and plants to beautify the classrooms and courtyard of the simple Costa Mesa school, lawyer Robin J. Yanes said. Plans are pending for what to do with the former playground. Some Costa Mesa firefighters also are planning to donate their time and money to build a brick wall around the playground.

To help the family of golden-haired Brandon Wiener, his neighbors have organized a fund-raising carwash. Donations for both Brandon’s and Sierra’s families are being accepted at Home Savings of America branches as well.

The carwash is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Huntington Beach Union 76, 21471 Brookhurst St., Huntington Beach.

Meanwhile, day-care director Sheryl Hawkinson is recuperating at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and remains in stable condition after suffering a mild heart attack during the Wednesday night memorial service for the two children, according to hospital spokeswoman Debra Legan.

“She had . . . a blockage in the arteries going to her heart,” said Legan, adding that doctors performed surgery to open up the passages.

Overcome with grief and stress, Hawkinson spent the night in the coronary care unit at the Newport Beach hospital and could remain hospitalized for up to a week, officials said.

A memorial service for Sierra Soto is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Mariner’s Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine. Call (949)- 854-7600 for information. Brandon Wiener will be buried at noon today at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Call (800) 600-0076 for information.