Monday night hundreds of people attended a vigil at a Palm Bay Church for three children who police believe were killed by the children’s mother.

More than 500 people arrived to Palm Bay Christian Church just before 8 p.m. Each attendee was given a glow stick to hold and remember the lives of the three children.

Hugs, flowers, and balloons were some tokens of support and memories of 7-year-old Laci, 6-year-old Philip, also known as “PJ,” and 5-month-old Christopher. 

“I just feel like everybody, you know, needs some peace or comfort with what’s happened with these babies,” said vigil organizer Chrissy Thompson.

The vigil was originally scheduled to be outside the home on the 1100 block of Kenmore Street Northwest where the murders happened. Due to the large number of people interested in going, the event was moved to the church.

Inside the church, photos of the children were shown on the screens as scripture was read and prayers were lifted.

Christopher's father, Christopher Swist Sr., hugged many of those inside. Some of them didn’t know the children or the family but wanted to be there to show the community is there for them.

Paloma Higareda has three children of her own and lives down the street from the home.  Her children are now starting to ask about what happened there Friday.  

“I just told my children today, I just said that ‘mommy hurt her kids and they’re now with Jesus’ and they just don’t understand why mommy would hurt her kids,” said Hilgareda.

Though Monday night was a time of sadness, many inside also felt it was also a time of hope.

“P.J. Laci and Christopher are in an awesome place,” said family friend Valencya Woods.  “They’re with God and, you know, I just really pray for peace with the families.”

Another memorial was created outside the fence of Palm Bay Christian Church by many of the 500 people who were in attendance Monday night.

Horrific details about the murders

Investigators said Monday one of the children was drowned, and the other two strangled to death.

Police had originally thought — and reported — that Jessica McCarty stabbed the kids, because officers found the 33-year-old mother holding a butcher knife.

The youngest of the three children, 5-month-old Christopher Swist Jr., died Sunday night at the hospital.

Investigators said McCarty methodically killed her three children one by one, and then called 911, confessing what she had done.

McCarty also claimed she cut herself. Police found her in the front yard holding a butcher knife, leading them to originally believe she stabbed the children.

"We took immediate action knowing that we had to get into the house," said Palm Bay police Chief Mark Renkens.

An arrest warrant released Monday told of something equally horrific: The infant's father, Christopher Swist Sr., arrived at the home moments after McCarty texted him pictures of blood throughout the home.

"He was made aware of it and essentially rushed to the house," Chief Renkens said.

Police said Swist Sr. found his 5-month-old son on a bed with a cord wrapped around his neck. He took the baby outside in the yard and started to give him CPR.

Officers went inside the home and found 6-year-old Philip in a living room corner, also with a cord wrapped around his neck. They found 7-year-old Lacey soaking wet and not breathing on the same bed where the infant was found. An autopsy revealed Lacey was strangled and drowned in a bathtub.

McCarty has not said a word since her 911 confession. She waived her right to appear in court Saturday.

"The thought of these innocent children struggling for their lives is simply gut-wrenching," Renkens said.