May 16, 2025
What a difference a week makes.
Mother’s Day was arduous, but today was a soothing balm for my soul. It felt like a day of hope.
On May 15, 2025, Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police, hosted their #UnderTripleDigits2025 Quarter 1 Safety Review and Strategic Data Meeting. This meeting was truly cathartic, and I feel so blessed to have attended.
Many incredible people gathered for one purpose: to stop the violence in Columbus, Ohio. This was the first meeting to contain so many organizations at once. Among those in attendance were elected officials, faith leaders, law enforcement representatives, leaders from global, federal, state, county, city, and nonprofit organizations.
The meeting began with delicious food and a presentation of current crime statistics. Scott Gibson provided an update on the year-to-date homicide numbers and community reports.
After the introduction and group hands-on Crime Analysis Activities, the presentations began.
Those in attendance shared stories that moved me to tears, stories of how crime deeply affected their lives.
My first emotional moment came when Mike St. Clair, the husband of MOMCC founder Malissa St. Clair, spoke about the barriers that young adults aged 17 to 25 face in our city. He recounted the graduation challenges his son, Anthony, faced in the Columbus Public School system before someone murdered him in 2013. At that time, the state required all Ohio students to pass the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) to graduate. Students must pass all five sections: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies to receive a high school diploma.
Anthony passed all sections except for science. Despite taking the test a total of seven times, he fell just two points short of passing the science portion. Consequently, he was unable to graduate with his class, which significantly altered the course of his life. He was on track to secure a football scholarship for college. Although he eventually obtained his high school diploma, by that time, the college offer had already been rescinded.
Mike often reflects on whether his son would still be alive today if he had been able to go to college and pursue a different path.
The second wave of tears began when the Domestic Violence Unit spoke. Diana Williams, the founder of Ohio Women Against Domestic Violence, shared her personal experience with domestic violence and how she overcame it. Ronnette Hairston, the Director of the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, is also a domestic violence survivor. She recounted how she left her abuser with her four children because she could no longer endure the situation. Ronnette made a promise to her son, who was murdered in 2021, that she would do something meaningful in his memory. She advocates for women experiencing domestic abuse through her work with Ohio Women Against Domestic Violence.
Another MOMCC member, Sonya Edgington Chapel, spoke about her daughter India, who was murdered as a result of domestic abuse. Each year, they honor her memory with India’s Purple Ribbon Walk, which takes place in May.
These women are true warriors. I support them wholeheartedly and salute their courage.
The final round of tears occurred at the end of the meeting, where MOMCC celebrated the CPD Major Crime Bureau.
Thankfully, in my case, authorities arrested Miller the Killer just hours after he murdered my son, John. I don’t know the pain of having my child’s killer roam free, but I certainly understand the anguish of such a devastating loss.
Members of MOMCC expressed their gratitude and recognized the hard work of the detectives and police officers. We presented tokens of appreciation, commemorative coins, and medals to those who dedicated themselves to solving homicide cases. Many tears were shed when we witnessed several of my fellow Sister Soldiers personally thanking the detectives who persevered and ultimately brought justice to their families.
It was a beautiful sight to see!
Time flew by so quickly, and before I knew it, the meeting was over. I felt honored to be a part of it. It was wonderful to witness such unity coming together to reduce crime and make our city safer. I am doing my best to honor my son. His death will not be in vain. I am determined to make this community a better place in his name.
Together We Can End Violence!
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