People from all over Colorado celebrate a missing woman’s birthday

People from all over Colorado came to Pueblo to celebrate a different kind of birthday, that of a missing pregnant woman.

Kelsie Schelling, who disappeared more than two years ago, would have been 24 on Feb. 18. Friends, family and even people who didn’t know her showed up for her belated birthday Saturday.

Laura Saxton, Schelling’s mother, said people were suppose to celebrate it last month, but winter storms and conflicting schedules prevented that from happening.

People gathered at the Wal-Mart near Northern Avenue for her birthday. This is also the location where her car was last seen on surveillance footage.

“It means a lot to have that support, because it is a lonely painful thing to go through,” Saxton said.

Barbara Bachicha organized the event. It was a balloon release and a candlelight vigil.

She said the disappearance of Schelling and her unborn daughter Kadrie hits close to home.

“I have kids. It breaks my heart to see the pain Laura is going through. I couldn’t imagine seeing this happen to anyone else,” Bachicha said.

Instead of a cake with 24 candles, people released balloons with messages of them.

“I know Kelsie would just be thrilled. You know she could just feel the love that comes from everyone for her. I’m sure she feels very blessed that way,” Saxton said.

Kelsie’s parents filed a lawsuit in federal court last month against the Pueblo Police Department. They accuse investigators of mishandling their daughter’s case. They also filed suit against the city of Pueblo, along with Donthe Lucas and some of his family members. They accuse Lucas of killing Schelling while she was pregnant and his family members for covering it up.

Saxton said no one has responded to the lawsuit.