September 23rd would have been Laylah Petersen's sixth birthday: "We want justice for our little girl"

MILWAUKEE -- Laylah Petersen would have turned six years old Wednesday, September 23rd. But her young life was cut short when she was shot and killed while she was sitting on her grandfather's lap inside a home near 58th and Fairmount on November 6, 2014. No one has been taken into custody in this case.

"So beautiful, so innocent," Maggie Fogl, Laylah's grandmother said. "She had a big heart -- a very big heart."

For the past 10 months, photos and keepsakes have been helping Laylah's family get through this nightmare.

"It`s very hard," Maggie Fogl said. "We just want justice for our little girl. That`s all I want."

Laylah's family members have waited, prayed, and held onto hope someone would be taken into custody for her death. They have seen holidays come and go, and Wednesday may be the hardest one of them all.

"We all knew September 23rd was coming. That`s always been Laylah`s day -- but now Laylah`s not here with us," Amanda Legler, Laylah's Godmother said.

Laylah Petersen would have turned six years old on Wednesday. Instead of celebrating with cake, presents and laughter, Petersen's family members will get together for quiet time, and a visit to the cemetery.

"It`s been very hard to try to piece ourselves back together when a piece of us is missing," Legler said.

Throughout everything, Laylah's family members say they remain optimistic, hopeful that on her birthday, they'll receive the best gift ever: Justice for Laylah.

"We do need that. We need that closure," Maggie Fogl said.

Police say there are no new updates in this case. A $35,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Meanwhile, family members are asking that people remember Laylah on Wednesday by showing love and compassion for someone else.