Slain Prince George's County Student's Family Accepts Diploma

The mother of a slain Prince George's County high school student accepted her daughter's diploma Tuesday during a graduation ceremony.

Amber Stanley, 17, was fatally shot in her own bedroom in Kettering, Md., Aug. 23. Police say someone broke into her home in the 100 block of Chartsey Street just after 10 p.m. that night.

Stanley, a senior at C.H. Flowers High School in Springdale, was shot her in her bed. Her sister, niece and foster sister, also inside the home at the time, were not hurt.

Stanley's mother received a standing ovation Tuesday as she walked across the stage to receive her daughter's sash and diploma.

"I wish my baby was here to accept her certificate," Stanley's mother, Irma Gaither said. "She loved school."

Stanley was remembered as a friendly and dedicated student who had hoped to attend Harvard University and had talked of becoming a doctor.

Her classmates dedicated their senior year to Stanley's memory.

"Everyone is thinking about her very much," one of Stanley's friends said.

C. H. Flowers High School Principal Gorman Brown said he thought she could have gone to any school she'd wanted and likely would have earned a scholarship.

"She was a very affable young lady," he said shortly after her death. "Students loved her; teachers loved her. She was very active in our school community."

Last week, the memory of another slain Prince George's County teen was honored at a graduation ceremony for Central High School students. Marckel Ross, 18, a high school junior, was gunned down Sept. 11 as he walked to school. The suspect in his death, Travon Donnell Bennett, is in jail awaiting trial.

However, Stanley's death remains unsolved. Gaither said last August that she didn't understand why anyone would have wanted to kill her daughter.

"She was a nice girl," Gaither said. "She was a nice person. She was a lovable person."

Anyone with information on Stanley's death is asked to call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.

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