'It's past due': 17 months later, Sabrina Ray's friends, family hold celebration of life service

ALEX IVANISEVIC   | The Des Moines Register

EARLHAM, Ia. — In spring 2017, 16-year-old Sabrina Ray was found dead in the home of her adoptive parents in Perry.

On Sunday afternoon at the Church of Christ in Earlham, her family was finally able to hold a celebration of life service for her. It was a ceremony they weren't sure they'd ever be able to have.

"We didn't know whether we were finally going to be able to get her remains or not," said Eugene Busch, Sabrina's grandfather. "We were hoping and praying that we would, and our prayers finally came true."

About three weeks ago, Busch was notified by someone from the Iowa Department of Human Services that the state could now release Sabrina's remains. She died on May 12, 2017.

"It caught me by surprise, and I was speechless," he said.

Sunday's service for Sabrina was cathartic.

"It's past due for that little girl to be put to rest in her final resting place," Busch said.

A couple dozen friends and family filed into the church auditorium, giving their condolences to Joe Busch — Sabrina's biological father — and a few other relatives. Tables of displays depicting a smiling, bright and dimple-faced Sabrina greeted them. Joe Busch described her smile as unforgettable.

Her grandfather reminisced about days when Sabrina was a child: "She was my little daredevil," he said.

Joe Busch said he never wanted to give up Sabrina when she was 10, but he felt he had no choice after he was accused of abuse in 2011. Misty Ray, 40, and her husband, Marc Ray, 41, took Sabrina in as a foster child in 2011 and adopted her in 2013. They now face charges in her death.

"I thought — and I think Sabrina thought too — that she was going to have a place she'd be happy with and have other kids to play with at the Rays', but it didn't work out that way," Eugene Busch said. “And I'm sorry to say, but her death helped save a couple other girls.”