Friends, family, and members of the Wichita community gathered Saturday at Wichita State’s Hughes Metroplex to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Lucas Hernandez. Five-year-old Hernandez, who was remembered as a kind and compassionate boy, went missing in February, and his remains were found in Harvey County in May.

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Selena Favela

Pastor Jeff Gannon holds up a stuffed lion for the audience to see. He then explained, "The teachers made Lucas the lion available to the students whenever they needed a hug from Lucas. Whenever they needed interaction with Lucas, they were encouraged to go get Lucas the lion.”