Slain Boy, 10, Recalled as Being ‘Easy to Love’

Sharing anecdotes and memories of a 10-year-old boy who dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, more than 400 mourners gathered in Anaheim on Monday for the funeral of Francisco Meza.

Later in the day, Francisco’s schoolmates at James Madison Elementary School released blue, white and red balloons and dedicated a plaque to remember the fifth-grader, known as Frankie.

Meza was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife Jan. 22. Prosecutors have charged his stepfather, Efrain Loza Arteaga, in the killing. Investigators have not established a motive for the killing.

At the funeral, friends, family and school staff gathered to comfort Francisco’s mother, Maria del Refugio Guillen, as she said goodbye to her son. A dozen white pigeons were released outside the chapel after eulogy and Mass, conducted in English and Spanish.

“I hope [people] will remember Frankie in their hearts,” said Guillen. “He was easy to love.”

Frankie’s sister, 19-year-old Norma Meza, supported her mother as family and friends offered their condolences. Some mourners contributed cash to a cardboard collection box set up to help the family.

Alejandra Melendez, Frankie’s second cousin, said many relatives had come from Mexico to mourn the boy. The 16-year-old girl saw her cousin for the first time Sunday during chapel viewing. “It was the first and the last time I saw him,” Melendez said. “It’s so sad.”

An Anaheim officer who had tutored Meza in the school DARE program parked his cruiser outside the chapel with emergency lights flashing in a silent tribute. At the school ceremony, Principal Aleta Peters dedicated the plaque and a newly planted tree.