CRIME VICTIMS REMEMBERED PROSECUTORS DONATE HUNDREDS OF PRESENTS.

Byline: Daily News

Four children who lost their parents to a murder-suicide earlier this year near Gorman were the recipients Thursday of gifts from a team of Los Angeles County crime fighters.

District Attorney Steve Cooley presented gifts to Daniel Toribio, 15, and his sisters, Maribel, 12; Jessica, 9; and Vanessa, 4, who lost their parents in April in a shooting that rocked the small town of Neenach, north of Santa Clarita and west of Lancaster. The children are now living with an aunt and uncle.

The Toribio children were among 250 families of crime victims who received gifts during the district attorney's 20th annual holiday giving drive.

Beginning this week, the families - including 530 children under 18 - will receive toys, clothing, gift certificates and the makings for a holiday meal.

``Those of us in the District Attorney's Office have the professional responsibility to seek justice for victims in the court of law. But we also feel a personal responsibility to spread holiday cheer in these homes that were shattered by crime,'' Cooley said.

He said prosecutors, investigators and others in his office hope the holiday giving drive ``can be a small part of the healing process.''

Employees from the office contributed more than $9,000 to the drive, and corporations donated money, food, toys, clothes and gift certificates.

Among others presented gifts Thursday were:

--The two children of Eternity Duvall, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in La Puente. The two, Lyric and Deedee, are now living with their aunt, Trinity Wallace-Ellis, and her children, Aisha, Virgil, Corey and Deshaun.

--Lillie Frances Williams, 66, of Redondo Beach, who was a victim of identity theft that damaged her credit and made it impossible for her to afford dental services she needed. Funds from the district attorney's outreach program on elder abuse helped pay for her dental work, officials said.

The crime victims' families receiving holiday gifts were nominated by District Attorney's Office employees and members of the victim-witness staff.

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Photo:

(color in AV edition only) Their aunt Angelica Toribio, rear center, smiles as children orphaned in a suicide-murder this year receive gifts from county crime fighters. From left are Toribio siblings Maribel, 12; Vanessa, 4, and Daniel, 15.

Leo Jarzomb/Staff Photographer