Friends Remember Tulsa Girl Killed In Tragic Playground Accident

A neighborhood mourns a little girl taken too soon when a playground game turned tragedy.

Hannah Todd, a 9-year-old Mark Twain Elementary student, was found buried in a sandbox at Penney Park in West Tulsa.

11/11/2011 Related Story: Death Of 9-Year-Old Tulsa Girl May Be Tragic Playground Accident

A church next door to Penney Park held a benefit dinner for Hannah's family. But a poignant scene took place outside where her friends sat talking, thinking, and most of all, remembering their friend Hannah.

There's a little less spirit at this swing set where years from now, kids might look back and think, that's where they lost the innocence of childhood.

"We brought flowers and beads and necklaces for her," said Morgan Duncan, Hannah's friend.

This is the spot where neighbors found their friend Hannah Todd buried in the sand. The blonde girl with the big smile.

"She's my best friend," Aidan Perez said.

"She's my bestest friend," Duncan said.

"She's like a sister to us," Cole Perez said.

A sister who friends say was never more alive than when she was outside.

"She liked to play tag. She liked to run. She liked to be healthy and stuff," Aidan said.

And she liked to play in the sand. Her grandmother said it may not look like it, but this sandbox is deep enough for kids to build tunnels so deep they can stand inside the holes.

Officers think that's what Hannah may have been doing before she died.

"I'm very sad that she passed away and just can't believe it," Cole said.

"She passed away and I didn't even get to say goodbye," Aidan said.

All they can do is leave flowers, teddy bears, and notes for their friend.

"I miss you Hannah. I will always miss you with my heart and I love you," Tanner Tow said.

"If she were here right now I'd tell her I'll love her forever, and I hope she has a way better life up there," Cole said.

They sit at Hannah's spot and hope the blonde girl with the big smile is watching.

The Todd family hopes the swing set area is redesigned so no other family loses a child the way they lost Hannah.