PALMDALE, Calif.—It has been more than a year since the lives of the Liner and Lenaris families were changed forever. It was that dreadful morning on Aug. 3, 2010, when 16-year-old Lonnie Liner allegedly stabbed his 11-year-old cousin Dahlia Lenaris to death and nearly took the life of her older sister.

Some suggest it was a mental breakdown; others say it was pure evil. The trial for the alleged teen killer has not begun, and close family relatives have been reserved about sharing any information about the imprisoned Liner, now 17.

However, Stephanie Ellegood, mother of the victims, has been vocal on the matter, saying that justice needs to be served.

Coping, explained Ellegood is one day at a time. 

“There’s a lot of things [her older sister] won’t talk to me about,” the mother said softly.

To cope with the tragedy, Ellegood has been attending therapy sessions and grief groups with other mothers who have suffered similar losses.

“For me, it just depends on the day. There are some days I can’t even think about it. There are other days I try to remember her smile and laugh,” she said sobbing. “My kids are my lifesavers and lifeline, though. Because I have to function for them and do well for them.”

Ellegood said the experience has matured her.

“I have a hole … I know for me personally I am not the person I was before. I used to be more emotional, and the little things bothered me. And now I am a person who is very numb. There are things a year ago that would have bothered me. I feel like I was a child before, but now I feel I am grown up,” Ellegood said.

While she is still angry at the Liner family, the level has subsided some. She also believes even if Liner has undiagnosed psychological issues, he was aware of his actions. 

“I think he thought he wouldn’t get in trouble, but now he’s realizing he is not going to get away with it. That’s how teenagers think. They don’t think of the consequences. I don’t know him very well, but I know how teenagers think, and they like living in the moment.”