The city of Houston is honoring murdered 4-year-old Maleah Davis with her own day.

Hundreds of Houston residents, dressed in pink, took part in a memorial walk to pay their last respects to the slain child. Mayor Sylvester Turner declared June 9 "Maleah Davis Day" in a proclamation made last week.

The walk was part of several events held calling for justice for the little girl's family. Her father, Craig Davis, thanked the sea of mourners for coming out early Sunday morning to celebrate his daughter's life.

"It's been a whole month but it feels like it all happened today. It's so painful," Craig Davis told the crowd. "I love you all as much as you all love my daughter, even more than you all can imagine."

In late April, Maleah was last seen in surveillance footage wearing pink. For a little over a month, the girl remained missing until authorities received a huge break in the case. The girl's stepfather, Derion Vence, confessed to the local community activist Quanell X that he murdered the child out of anger. Her remains were later discovered near a road in a small Arkansas town.

Turner wanted to help heal Houston residents' hearts by designating one day to Maleah and her memory.

"Although the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and death of Maleah Davis were heartbreaking, the community is united in creating lasting changes in her honor and vowing to safeguard all children in our community," he wrote in the proclamation. "Amongst calls for justice, may those who knew and loved her all find peace and comfort during these trying times.

The mayor added, "The City of Houston is honored to join the family and friends of Maleah Davis, as well as the community, in remembering her and extends sincere condolences on this day of remembrance, as her life and her beautiful spirit will never be forgotten."

Pink was the young girl's favorite color. The lights of City Hall were turned pink to remember her and several people, including Turner, spoke on the day of remembrance about the need to heal.

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