ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, MI — A community is in mourning following the tragic death of a 2-year-old girl, Octavia, whose mother now faces serious charges.

Paige Nichole Bohne, 21, the child’s mother, has been charged with open murder after the toddler was discovered unresponsive at her great aunt and uncle’s home in the Memory Lane Trailer Park on Thursday.

Officers arriving around 12:45 p.m. made efforts to revive the young girl, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident has triggered an investigation by the St. Joseph County, Michigan Major Crimes Task Force. Initially, Bohne faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, but those were escalated to open murder by the county’s prosecutor on Friday, leading to her being denied bond.

Octavia’s aunt, who has chosen to remain anonymous, reflected on the little girl’s vibrant spirit. She described Octavia as always bringing joy to those around her and said her niece “deserved better.” Often acting as Octavia’s primary caregiver, the aunt expressed how Octavia was like a sibling to her own children, who frequently played with her.

The last memory shared by the aunt was from the weekend before Halloween when she took Octavia to a trunk-or-treat event. Octavia, dressed as a bumblebee, was filled with excitement, eagerly collecting candy.

Heartbroken, Octavia’s aunt wants people to remember the toddler for her infectious smile and happiness. She expressed regret and frustration, feeling that her family could have provided support if they had known it was needed.

As the investigation continues, the details surrounding Octavia’s death remain limited, leaving the community searching for answers and grappling with the loss of a young life.