February 22, 2006 – December 14, 2012

“Charlotte was an extraordinarily gifted 6-year-old who filled her family each day with joy and love. The family will forever remember her beautiful smile, her energy for life and the unique way she expressed her individuality, usually with the color pink,” read her obituary. [1]

Her grandmother, Irene Hagen who was living in Minnesota told the CNN affiliate WCCO that Charlotte was a sweet, outgoing child who was full of energy. Her grandmother said, “This is tough. This is surreal. You can’t believe this could happen. The whole family is just devastated, and we’re all trying to come to terms with it.” Irene Hagen said, “Her granddaughter loved school and dresses. Her hair was a mass of beautiful red curls. It’s horrible. It’s really horrible. It’s hard to believe that someone would kill children, innocent children.” [2]

Charlotte loved the color pink and animals. She was kind and gentle to all creatures and planned to be a veterinarian at the age of two. [3] Her parents, JoAnn and Joel Bacon, said the “family will forever remember her beautiful smile, her energy for life, and the unique way she expressed her individuality usually with the color pink.”

Charlotte and her brother Guy had a good relationship and enjoyed each other’s company. She practiced Tae Kwon Do every week with her father. Her family remarked that she loved “kicking and throwing punches while studying the martial arts. Charlotte was an extraordinarily gifted six year old who filled her family each day with joy and love. Charlotte has left a place in her entire extended family’s hearts that will never be replaced.” [4]

Mourners gather at St. Rose of Lima Church for the funeral, December 19, 2012 [5]

A police officer directed traffic as mourners entered the church for Charlotte Bacon’s funeral. Honan Funeral Home prepared her body.

Photo: (Melanie Stengel – New Haven Register)
The playground, the twenty-third to be built, is located on Sea Bluff Beach in West Haven, part of the Sandy Ground Project to honor the Sandy Hook shooting victims. Over 300 runners participated in a 5K road race in memory of Charlotte that raised more than $14,000 for the Sandy Ground Project. Charlotte’s family was greatly impressed by the project. Charlotte’s mother JoAnn said, “They’ve given our family a beautiful weekend all about honoring Charlotte, and the town of West Haven.” It is a “beautiful playground where families can make their own new memories.” [6]

🖥 Charlotte’s Litter: The Story of Charlotte Bacon

Photo: (Melanie Stengel – New Haven Register)

Photo: (Melanie Stengel – New Haven Register)

Photo: (Melanie Stengel – New Haven Register)

Dedication on Father’s Day; Charlotte Helen Bacon was a “daddy’s girl,” and so it is bittersweet yet apropos that a playground in her memory was dedicated on Father’s Day, her mom and others said. [7] Brother Guy is cutting the ribbon while his father and mother stand right behind him.

🖥 Playground dedication for Charlotte Bacon

[1] Jeff Swartz and  Kaelyn Forde, Remembering the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, 12/14/2017, http://abcnews.go.com/US/remembering-sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting-victims/story?id=51566826; retrieved 12/28/2017

[2] Meghan Carr, 5 Years after Sandy Hook, the Victims have not been forgotten, 12/14/2017; http://www.wvnstv.com/news/national/5-years-after-sandy-hook-the-victims-have-not-been-forgotten/880969233; retrieved 12/31/2017

[3] Charlotte Bacon Wanted to be a Veterinarian Since Age 2, CBS New York, 12/162012, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/16/little-girl-killed-in-newtown-massacre-had-wanted-to-be-veterinarian-since-age-2; retrieved 1/7/2018

[4] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[5] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[6] Thea Di Giammerino, Playground in Honor of Charlotte Bacon Opens, NBC Connecticut, 6/15/2014

[7] Father’s Day dedication of Charlotte Bacon playground in West Haven ‘bittersweet,’ 6/15/2014, http://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Father-s-Day-dedication-of-Charlotte-Bacon-11381114.php; retrieved 1/6/2018