‘Justice for Rylan’: Clay community rallies around Rylan Wise, 11-year-old died by methadone overdose

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil in honor of 11-year-old Rylan Wise Monday night.

“Show their support and love for Rylan and raise awareness to the injustice that was done,” Maddie Wise, Rylan’s mother, said.

The vigil started with a fundraiser including several vendors. A portion of the proceeds will go towards Wise’s fight for justice.

The 11-year-old’s mother tells Action News Jax that a detective with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office told her the case was closed and no charges were being filed.

RELATED: Clay County family seeking answers in death of 11-year-old boy

A representative told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant Monday that the case will not be closed until the investigative report is complete.

Rylan’s father reported him dead on January 12 at his home in Maxville. According to court documents, he died from a methadone overdose and the medical examiner’s office listed the manner of death as suicide.

Action News Jax told you in May that the boy’s family was fighting for more answers.

In a letter to the Department of Children and Families, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook wrote, “The decedent was found by his father, Larry Horace Wise. At the time law enforcement was notified, the decedent’s body was showing signs of decomposition.”

The letter goes on to say, “During the investigation several items of drug paraphernalia were discovered in the bedroom of Mr. Wise... The home was littered with trash, debris, and old food. The house was generally in a deplorable state.”

Sheriff Cook said she believed the other children should not be in Larry Wise’s custody “based on the delay of reporting Rylan’s death, the deplorable home conditions and the presence of drug paraphernalia in the home.”

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“I feel like if I can save another child’s life for their parents by not backing down and not being quiet — then it will be worth it,” Maddie said.

Rylan was the oldest brother to his siblings. Maddie said she is now looking to work with the State Attorney’s Office to file charges.

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