The family of Ryan Harris is joined by community leaders and residents of Englewood last year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the then-young girls brutal killing. Defender/Worsom Robinson
The last week in July has been designated by the Illinois Senate as “Ryan Harris: Hope for Children Week” in an effort to heighten awareness about youth violence prevention. State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-16th) said from July 26 to August 1 the week, named in Harris’ honor, will use many platforms to raise the awareness. “Illinois has the highest youth violence and homicide rate in the Midwest and the fourth highest in the United States. These numbers have only increased since Ryan was killed and the physical, mental and emotional effects on the community in which they live can be incredibly damaging,” said Collins. Eleven-year-old Ryan Harris was raped and beaten to death in July 1998 near her Englewood home. The girl’s death made national headlines because two boys, ages 7 and 8, were initially arrested and charged with the crime. At the time, they were the youngest murder suspects in the United States. Semen samples found in Harris’ underwear, which was stuffed in her mouth, cleared them of the savage attack in September 1998. Nine months after her death, Floyd Durr was charged with the crime. He was already in custody for allegedly raping three girls on separate occasions. The girl’s mother, Sabrina Harris, has held an annual picnic for children on the site where Ryan was found. The site is now a park named in the girl’s honor.
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