Trust arranged for nine adopted children of murdered Florida couple

From the Pensacola News Journal. Family members have said the children will stay together.

The Billings Family Trust For Children was formed July 15 to help provide for the nine adopted children of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

The children, five of whom have Down syndrome and all of whom are disabled, were in the family's Beulah home July 9 when their parents were slain by intruders.

"We have had phone calls and e-mails, and I've been getting inquiries asking if there is somewhere to donate to help these children," said Pensacola attorney Crystal Collins Spencer, who represents Melanie Billings' 26-year-old biological daughter, Ashley Markham.

Markham spoke at a news conference held at Spencer's downtown office at 6 a.m. Wednesday. She was flanked by her husband, Blue, and other members of her mother's family as she spoke about her parents and their care of disabled children.

"We have lost two people who were truly trying to make the world a better place, one person at a time," Markham said. "The family plans to continue their legacy in the community, as that is what they taught us to do."

Spencer said the family formed the trust after rumors surfaced of supposedly charitable efforts not cleared with the family.