Fairmount mural dedicated to child who died gets new life

The Charnae Wise Memorial Gardens at 30th and Harper streets, with a recently refurbished mural honoring the young girl who died of neglect in 1997.
Photo credit Andrew Kramer/KYW Newsradio
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood got a colorful new look recently, as a mural at 30th and Harper streets for over two decades was refurbished. 

The mural was re-dedicated to young Charnae Wise, who died of neglect when she was five.

"I came from a drug-infested family," recalled Wise's older brother, Dante Hailey. "Mom, on drugs, high, left me and my sister in the basement for months at a time to starve to the point where she starved my sister to death."

That was in 1997, near that intersection. Hailey then went to a foster family and went through some rough times after that. He was living on the streets, dealt drugs, he spent years in prison. 

His life is on track now though. He has his own place and a steady job.

"Charnae plays a big part because I know if she was here she would be right next to me," Hailey said, "pushing me to be the best I could be."

The very colorful mural overlooks a garden, and has "Charnae Wise Memorial Gardens" written across the top. There's a photo painted on the right side of baby Charnae with a pacifier in her mouth. 

Hailey was asked what he would want people to feel when looking at this mural.

"I want them to always see this as a sign of hope," he answered, "always know they can make it."