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Street Named for Toddler Killed in Murder-Suicide

FORTY FORT– After climbing a ladder Jessica Shultz reaches her arms towards the sky and removes a black bag from a street sign bearing her daughter’...

FORTY FORT-- After climbing a ladder Jessica Shultz reaches her arms towards the sky and removes a black bag from a street sign bearing her daughter's name. The road leading from Wyoming Avenue to the Luzerne County Recreation Fields is now called Camryn Way.

Jessica hears the crowd clapping and smiles.

It is a smile that seemed impossible not so long ago.

Back in October 2013, Jessica's family stood sobbing in the street after learning Camryn Shultz, 1, had been shot and killed by her father.

Nick Shultz then turned the gun on himself.

The girl who loved Minnie Mouse was just two days away from her second birthday.

Since then the family has dealt with overwhelming grief. Her grandfather, Tom Hess wondered if his wife Dorothy could survive the sadness.

"It's still pretty tough, the little doll that Camryn always carried, my wife, it doesn't leave her side, she always has it."

But through all that pain Jessica found a way to forgive Camryn's father Nick.

"I know that he snapped, and unfortunately he took Cam with, I just know that he is regretting every minute, but I forgive him, I do," said Jessica.

Jessica says the support of the Forty Fort community has helped her keep going.

"Her spirit is alive and well and everywhere, just every where," said Jessica.

On Friday that community, including the police and fire departments, gathered for a ceremony honoring Camryn's life and acknowledging the loss that is felt beyond her family.

Jessica Shultz was presented with a new treasure; a Minnie Mouse doll holding a sign that says "Camryn Way."

Jessica says she often wonders what her daughter would have grown up to be, but she takes comfort in knowing she is already an inspiration.

"I just hope that they ask, 'Who is Camryn?' and the family can say she's Forty Fort's little angel," said Jessica, as she stood by the new sign.

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