JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A group of about a dozen people stood outside the Duval County Courthouse Friday holding up posters and passing out stickers.
They said they are the voices for Destiny and Nevaeh Perrywinkle, the younger sisters of Cherish Perrywinkle.
"They need voices," said Stephanie Hamlow. "They don't have family here in Jacksonville to help support them."
They want the girls out of foster care and made eligible for adoption. They say the 5 and 6-year-old deserve to have a permanent, loving and stable home.
Action News asked adoption supporter Sonja Crawford if she thought the girls could get that from their mother. She was sad to say no.
The girls' mom is Rayne Perrywinkle, grieving mother of a murdered child. Cherish Perrywinkle, 8, was kidnapped from a Northside Walmart last June, raped, and killed.
Registered sex offender Donald Smith has been charged with murdering her.
Rayne Perrywinkle lost custody of Destiny and Nevaeh shortly after that.
Perrywinkle has been fighting to get her girls back. And so has the girls' paternal grandfather, Tom Pearson.
He choked back tears when he said, "Coming here today and seeing the stickers. Adoption? Hello? I'm their grandpa. I've been with them from day one."
Pearson said his granddaughters belong with their family.
Problem is, the adoption supporters don't believe the family can provide the care the girls need.
"They've just had a lot of loss and they need a lot of support," said adoption supporter Lily Bristow.
Another hearing is Aug. 20.
The Department of Children and Families told Action News it only puts children in protective custody when there are safety concerns.
After an investigation, DCF makes recommendations on what to do with the children. But ultimately, it's a judge's decision.