Funeral held for non-verbal 5-year-old Karter Holloway, beaten to death

Dozens of family and friends gathered Saturday inside Friendship Chapel Baptist Church Saturday for the funeral of 5-year-old Karter Holloway.

Holloway, who was autistic and non-verbal, died after being beaten. His father is now charged with murder.

"Of all deaths, that of a child is the most unnatural and the hardest to bear," Dr. Enoch Holloway, Karter's great uncle, said.

Family members, teachers and loved ones who attended the funeral in Wake Forest knew Karter "Bop Bop" Holloway the best.

"He loved life. He loved his family," Letitia Tillery, his teacher, said.

Karter died on New Year's Day at UNC Hospital.

Family members told WRAL News he was beaten, leading to a fatal brain hemorrhage.

Karter's father, 24-year-old Amir Hines, is charged with his murder.

"Death seems a cruel thief when it strikes down the young," Enoch said.

Saturday's focus remained on Karter's life and his smile, love of superheroes and infectious joy.

"When he hugged you, it was full of love and compassion. He squeezed the happiness into your soul," Tillery said.

Jerry Montague spoke at the funeral, saying, "I can see him on his momma's sofa now, with his little cape on. You fly, Karter."

Enoch ends his speech by saying:

"If I can say anything that I'm confident in, Karter's with the Lord!"