Garden Opens To Honor Teen Girl Killed Along Macomb County Nature Trail

ARMADA (WWJ/AP) - A garden built in memory of a 14-year-old girl killed last year along a popular metro Detroit nature trail has opened with help from community volunteers.

A public ceremony was held Monday at the garden at the Macomb County Orchard Trail in Armada, near where April Millsap's body was found in July 2014.

Dozens of people helped build the garden, features flowers and a photo of the teen, using materials donated by local businesses.

It's located adjacent to the Armada Grain Company near Fulton and Depot on North Ave.

April's mother, Jennifer Millsap, says she didn't expect such support from people she didn't know.

"It was so special," she told WWJ's Zahra Huber. "I mean, it brings me to tears every time...every time I walk through it."

Garden coordinator, Jean Persely, said they kept April's interests in mind.

"She loved to write poetry while she was in nature," Persely said. "We've also incorporated a small free library where people can take a book out, sit and read it, take it home with them. People can drop a book off that they enjoy that they want to share with others."

James VanCallis, 33, of Goodells, has been charged with with first-degree murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to rape in the teen's death.

His lawyer has argued there's no DNA evidence linking VanCallis to her death, although Macomb County Prosecutors Eric Smith says they'll present electronic evidence — including a text messages and a video —  along with plenty of eyewitness testimony in the case.

A pretrial hearing in the case was held Tuesday with the trial set to being in September.

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