People in the Randolph area say last year’s disappearance and death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett changed people in the community forever.
Pastor Tom Harty of the United Church of Bethel, who conducted Brooke’s funeral last year, says the girl’s death is just under the surface.
It was a year ago Thursday that Brooke was seen on a convenience store video walking in with her uncle Michael Jacques and then leaving.
It didn’t take long for investigators to focus on Jacques. They claim he used the Internet to deflect attention away from him. He has pleaded not guilty to a variety of federal charges and could face the death penalty.
Brooke’s father Jim Bennett says he and his family are doing the best they can every day.