Jeremiah Oliver laid to rest in Worcester

FITCHBURG, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) -- Jeremiah Oliver's family was unable to hold back tears as they and hundreds of others said a final goodbye to the 5-year-old Saturday.

With prayer, song, poetry and tears, Jeremiah's life was celebrated at the Rollstone Congregational Church, and he was later laid to rest at the Hope Cemetery in Worcester.

At his funeral, speakers like Jeremiah’s brother Sixto Oliver expressed their love for the little boy who adored Spiderman and playing outdoors, but it was Jeremiah’s father's words that were perhaps the most piercing.

"I am sorry as a father and a man that I could not be there to protect you," Jose Oliver said.

He also presented plaques to Jeremiah's brother and sister for their bravery in alerting authorities to the disappearance of the little boy. The 5-year-old’s mother Elsa Oliver and her boyfriend Alberto Sierra remain held on high bail, charged in connection to his disappearance. However, no one has been charged in his death.

Newly retired Fitchburg Police Chief Bob Demoura says the Oliver case was one of the toughest he's worked in his nearly 40 year career.

“I think it shows that we're all fragile. I think when you look at the bigger picture, it involves all of us," Demoura said.

He went on to say that all of the Fitchburg police officers worked “tirelessly” on the case and “typically never went home."

In his funeral program, the Oliver family wanted to empower people to speak out against child abuse. Many people wore blue in honor of that cause.

Jeremiah had not been seen by relatives since September but was not reported missing until December. His body was found two weeks ago.

Cox Media Group