BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Three unclaimed baby boys were laid to rest Saturday morning in Kern County's Garden of Innocence.
The garden is a reserved area within Union Cemetery. The first three unclaimed babies were laid to rest in September.
Nearly two months later, Jose, Gatlin and Daniel were buried. That brings the total to six, and funeral officials say there is one more on the way.
During the ceremony, the remains of the baby boys were passed to each mourner.
The people in attendance did not know the children, yet they felt compelled to pay their respects.
"They don't have a father, they don't have a mother. We are their fathers and mothers," said Bob Cordes, local chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
One mother felt it was important to bring her children to the funeral. "I wanted them to see and value life," said Nancy Delatorie.
More than a hundred people attended the funeral Saturday. It's about a hundred less than the first service held in September, but Cemetery General Manager Dave Hepburn says donations continue to come in.
"We are getting donations mailed into us that we are putting into a special fund," said Hepburn. "Today's burial was all covered by donations."
This service was special for Hepburn because he was able to name one of the babies buried.
"I was asked to name baby Daniel which I did," Hepburn said. "It's a name from our family that I felt would be appropriate."
Cemetary officials say there is one more child left to be buried after all the legal documents have been processed. Officials believe that funeral will be held in January.
The Garden of Innocence was created 15 years ago. Since then, more than 200 babies have been buried across three states.