Family and friends of Aleaya Jackson held a community prayer vigil and call for justice for the teen at St. James Baptist Church in Bushnell Nov. 8, following her death the previous weekend.

“When you have a bad day, my baby would make your frowns turn into a smile, your heartache into joy, and I mean, she was so funny,” said Jackson’s father, Michael Jenkins.

Kevin Goff, Owner of Wildwood Auto Mart, visited the church to pay his respects.

“I just pray for the family," Goff said. "And I pray that justice prevails, and I hope and pray that everybody keeps our community in prayers, because this is going to be a healing process for us all."

Larry Peavy is accused of sexually assaulting and killing Aleaya Jackson. The 16 year old’s body was found in the home he rented on South Pine Street in Bushnell.

Peavy’s car was spotted in Ft Pierce Tuesday, but he was nowhere to be found. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, he is wanted on several charges, including sexual assault and murder.

Jenkins wants Peavy, a family friend, brought into custody.

“I want to talk to this man," Jenkins said. "You’ve got to tell me what happened, you’ve got to tell me what happened to my daughter, I want to know."

A pastor at the church told Spectrum News 13 they are working to help the family make funeral arrangements and raise money. They did not have life insurance for Jackson, because they never expected to have to bury their daughter.

When asked for an update on the search for Peavy and the investigation into Jackson’s death, the Sumter County’s Sheriff’s Office told us via email Wednesday afternoon, “We have no further updates at this time.”