THOMASVILLE- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week kicked off on Tuesday morning at Connection Assembly, where officers, advocates, and community partners came together to hear the story of Keyanna Peterson, who lost her 2-year-old daughter, Jhada after she was beaten to death by her caregiver.

Jess Hornsby with the Assistant District Attorney’s Office explained the theme of Crime Victims’ Rights Week for 2025 is connection and kinship.

“Kinship is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime,” he said. “This drive creates a lifelong connection and increases access to victims’ rights and healing. The kinship connection is where victim advocacy begins.”

Hornsby acknowledged that while all victims may not be related by blood or marriage, there is a connection and bond between the shared feelings of grief, anger, hope, and relief.

“The key is for all survivors and victims to know you’re not alone,” he said.

Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division Captain Toby Knifer and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office CID Captain both echoed that sentiment.

“Crime not only affects the direct victim, but it affects their families, communities, and society at large,” Knifer said. “The trauma can echo for years, often leaving lasting scars.”

In the face of devastation, Knifer said it is crucial for individuals to come together and lend a hand to those who need it most.

“This healing should not only be physical or emotional, but also rooted in empathy, recognizing the interconnectedness of all people, and the importance of community and hope,” he said. “Kinship healing is the process of restoring connections between individuals, families, and communities after experiencing harm.”

Knifer explained it’s not just about returning to “normal” life, but about rebuilding trust and ensuring that humanity is seen and valued.

“Kinship emphasizes relationships and recognizes that healing is not done alone, but as a collective effort,” Knifer said.

TPD, TCSO, Georgia State Patrol, and other federal agencies work together on each case, and Knifer emphasized that while victims may just talk with one individual throughout the course of their case, there is a concerted effort by all deputies and officers to get justice for the individual.

“In the background, there’s a whole team trying to get justice for the crime at hand,” he said. “We compare our crimes because they don’t stop at jurisdictional lines.”

Knifer went on to say the first step in getting justice is acknowledging the victims and understanding their very real pain, noting that they may suffer psychological and physical effects long after the crime is over.

“Support for victims should be holistic, proving immediate and long-term care,” he said. “It can make a critical difference. We must realize healing is a process, not a quick fix. It takes time, patience, and persistence.”

The process of healing has been a journey for Peterson, who not only lost her young daughter, but her biggest support system, her mother, shortly thereafter.

Peterson is the hard-working mother of three children. She was at one of her two jobs when she received the call that changed her life forever.

“On December 31, 2020, I was at work and it was just after 5, when my supervisor asked me to stay, so I did,” she said.

At the time, Peterson said she was trying to move her and her children into a better home, so had been working overtime to save up money. Her daughter was in the hands of a caregiver, so she believed she was doing what was best for her family.

“I was on the floor when someone said my daughter was in the hospital and I needed to get there,” Peterson said. “I was having a panic attack driving from where I worked in Moultrie to Thomasville.”

When Peterson arrived in Thomasville, the doctor informed her that he had done everything he could, but her daughter didn’t survive.

Peterson recalled crying out to the Lord, wondering how she had lost her pure, innocent daughter.

“It’s a pain I can never forget,” she said. “I keep remembering my screams. It just plays over in my head.”

Peterson said she couldn’t understand how this happened, as she was doing all the right things to provide for her family. But, throughout the traumatic experience, her mom was her rock.

“My mom helped me with my kids when I couldn’t get out of bed, but my mom ended up dying of COVID,” she said.

The shock of losing two loved ones back to back prompted Victims Advocate Gwen Tyler to suggest Peterson start seeing a counselor.

Looking back, Peterson said it was a blessing.

“Sometimes you can’t talk to family, because family reminds you of who you’re missing and they’re going through pain too, but counselors deal with that every day,” Peterson said.

Peterson also attributed her strength throughout the situation to God, who helped her when she was “mentally checked out.”

“I learned how to cope because I still have two kids looking to me who I have to be strong for,” she said, before telling the crowd she is praying for anyone dealing with a similar situation and loss.

Peterson’s strength was met with a standing ovation, as Payton Hamilton then took to the podium asking for help in the location of her mother Marlena Hurst.

Hurst has been missing since December 2020. During that time, Hamilton said she has had to rely on law enforcement and other individuals and encourages others in her position to do the same.

“You may not always see eye to eye, but they are there to help you,” she said. “Stay strong and persevere. We have to keep our faith.”

Hamilton said her family has continued to keep their faith throughout the last five years, but asked for anyone with new information to come forward, and to continue praying for the family to find the answers they desperately seek.

Following her statement, a candlelight vigil was held for victims whose families were in attendance, including little Jhada Peterson, who is gone but never forgotten in the eyes of the Thomas County community.