Erica Parson’s funeral paid for by community donations

Authorities investigating the death of Erica Parsons thanked the community on Thursday for raising enough money to pay for the abused Rowan County girl’s funeral.

“The response and support from the community has been tremendous!!” the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “All of the funeral service expenses for Erica have been paid for.”

The investigation into Erica’s death continues, the sheriff’s office said. Her remains are still with the N.C. Medical Examiner’s Office and will not be released for at least two months, possibly three months, the office said.

Information about Erica’s funeral service will be released once Erica’s remains have been released, and a date for her funeral service has been determined, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Once a complete picture of all the evidence is obtained, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Investigators will review the findings with the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office,” the sheriff’s office said. “This is an ongoing investigation and information about the finding of this case won’t be released publicly until this case can be brought to court.”

Nearly five years after Erica was last seen, her remains were found in rural Chesterfield County, S.C.

Erica was given up at birth to a family said to despise her. Her remains were found after her adoptive father, Sandy Parsons, told authorities where to find her, people close to the investigation told The Charlotte Observer. Authorities said they learned in August that Erica was more than likely dead, but did not elaborate on specifics.

Both Sandy Parsons and his wife, Casey Parsons, were convicted last year of financial crimes that included cashing adoption assistance checks totaling more than $12,000 after her disappearance, and are both in federal prisons.

Donations are still being collected in honor of Erica by Prevent Child Abuse Rowan, which assists sheriff’s investigators in child abuse investigations.

Donations can be made to “Erica’s Angel” and sent to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan, 130 Woodson St., Salisbury NC, 28144.

Staff Writer Mark Washburn contributed.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Erica Parson’s funeral paid for by community donations."