By Serena Solomon
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CHELSEA — Leandra Rosado's death last month in a car driven by a school friend's allegedly drunk mother has been deeply felt by residents at the Fulton Houses, where the 11-year-old lived with her father.
A makeshift shrine of posters, candles and even a few pumpkins still stands outside the girl's building on Ninth Avenue, near 17th Street. And last week, a garden tended by young people who live in the housing complex was dedicated to serve as a living memorial.
"I'm taking this personally," said Miguel Acevedo, president of the tenants' association, about the garden. "She was always there, every morning, she had that little smile. Now we not going to have that smile."
The Monday following Leandra's death, Acevedo spoke to Lenny Rosado, the single father who had raised Leandra, about turning the garden, where he plans to grow cilantro, spinach and beets, into a memorial.
"He definitely wanted something like that to happen," Acevedo said. "He wants something to carry her name so people will keep remembering her."
The simple garden made of wire and wood framing was constructed, and dedicated at a ceremony last Thursday. City Council Speaker Christina Quinn, who represents the district, was there.
Carmen Huertas has been charged with driving while intoxicated when she drove a car full of girls to a slumber party in the Bronx. In the accident, the car flipped several times, according to authorities, and Leandra was thrown from the car.
After Fulton Houses resident Alexander Jimenez heard the news, he said he held his 4-year-old daughter tight.
"I held her in my hands. I'm holding her every five minutes, I'm telling her I love her," said the 45-year-old father of six. "I'm telling all my kids that I love them."
Rose Conklin, a nine-year resident who was out walking her two dogs, said she used to see Leandra around the complex. She called Leandra a sweet girl who loved to pet her dog, Nemo.
She wondered how the girl's death would be processed by other children in the complex.
"The older children might be able to understand and cope with this," Conklin said. "The real young ones don't understand the meaning of death. It's hard for everyone."
