Valley church raises money for Jhessye's mother

GLENDALE, AZ - A Valley church is raising money to get the mother of missing 5-year-old Jhessye Shockley released from jail.

The Christian Fellowship Church claims to have raised $3,000 of the $10,000 needed for Jerice Hunter’s bond, 10 percent of the total bond of $100,000.

“Glendale is trying to save face before Thanksgiving,” said Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Metcalff.  “She will be exonerated of these charges.”

The reverend spoke outside the jail on Tuesday, joined by Hunter’s father. They both believe she is innocent.

Police have charged Hunter with child abuse in her daughter's case and admit they do not believe Jhessye will be found alive.

And while church members are standing by Hunter's side, some of her neighbors are taking a different side.

Once the details of Hunter’s arrest spread throughout her Glendale apartment complex, the feeling among neighbors switched from encouragement to anger.

“Heck yes I’m upset, I don’t even know what to say, I feel like she lied to all of us,” said Stormy Ray Benton, who helped organize many of the marches and searches for the missing 5-year-old.

A memorial filled with candles and letters near Jhessye’s home grew Tuesday night as people gathered and vowed to continue the search.

“I hope justice is served and I hope we find Jhessye,” said Benton. “We will continue to look for her and if we unfortunately find her body, we want to make sure she gets a proper burial.”

In the hours after detectives searched Hunter’s home, neighbors told ABC15 electricity has been turned off to the apartment unit.

“I’m just sick about this, I’m so angry, I have no respect for her (Hunter) now, it just breaks my heart to think something bad could have happened to a small 5-year-old girl, it’s ridiculous,” said Benton.