Family, friends honor Stayton 2-year-old boy killed in suspected arson house fire

About 50 family members and friends gathered Sunday in Stayton for a memorial vigil for a 2-year-old boy who died in a house fire just over a week ago.

On Feb. 1, Oregon State Police and firefighters responded to the three-alarm, residential fire on W Washington Street.

Police confirmed Christopher James Pearce was the victim of a suspected arson fire but have not released additional information regarding the investigation.

Christopher's great aunts Karen Pearce and Teri Pearce Petre hosted the vigil outside the home where he died, at the intersection of W Washington Street and N Birch Avenue.

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Balloons, posters, candles and pictures of the toddler were placed along the fence outside the home. 

After a releasing of doves, family and friends sang "Amazing Grace" to honor the 2-year-old. Keizer Community Church Pastor Dave Holt led the group in prayers and many held lit candles amid the cold wind. 

The family cannot hold a funeral since the investigation has not been completed, so Holt said the family had asked him to help them honor Christopher with a vigil.

"The whole family has been on a roller coaster of grieving, anger and sorrow," Pearce Petre, of Salem, said. "You can only take this for so long."

Family friend Shelby Polston, dedicated the song, "Angel" to the little boy "who is a real angel now," she said. 

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Polson lived with the family temporarily and met Christopher when he was a month old. 

"He was a loving, happy boy," the Stayton woman, said. Losing him "hurt deeply."

After the service, some family members made tributes to Christopher. 

"It's comforting to know that there are people who are being supportive today," Polson said.

Family and friends say Christopher was known for his smile and happy demeanor. 

Christopher lived with his mother, Jessica Pearce, and has family in the Stayton and Aumsville area.

Previous coverage:One child dead in a suspected arson fire at a Stayton home

Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at (503) 399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.