Taja Burrows' first grade teacher said yesterday her class will never be the same without the presence of the happy five-year-old girl whose body was found floating in waters near Prince George Wharf Tuesday.
The girl was a student of St. John's College where news of her death shocked teachers, parents and students alike.
Annalicia Allison, Taja's teacher, said the child was jovial and will be greatly missed.  She added that returning to the class without Taja will take a toll on her.
"Knowing that when you enter the classroom the seat is empty and knowing that, that is for a little girl who you've known for a period of time, it's going to be very difficult.  Every time looking at the seat knowing she will not be with us... she will be surely missed."
Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines pulled the bodies of Taja and her mother, Amanda Seymour Burrows, 32, of Stapledon, from the waters at about 7:30 a.m.  The girl was found still wearing pajamas.
Allison said Taja was one of the bright spots in her class.  "She was a happy child.  She was always running around telling me 'teacher I love you'.  She was so friendly.  She got along well with all students.  She would always be the one to help you.  She's just that kind of child who was always helping," Allison said.
She taught Taja during summer school and the short time she spent in the first grade class.
St. John's College principal Antoinette Storr said the news came as a shock to the entire school population.
"We got word [on Wednesday] that police identified the body," Storr said.  "We immediately got into action.  The crisis management team came in and we made contact with the chaplain who got in contact with [Taja's] teachers."
Storr said the school had a combined mass yesterday where the message was centered on dealing with grief and death.
"It is a very, very difficult day for us," the principal said.  "She is one of those loving students."
Taja's former teacher Eva Dawkins also described her as a happy student.  "There was never a dull moment with Taja. I enjoyed having her in my class. It's so hard," she said as tears ran down her face.
Police were questioning a man in connection with the deaths yesterday.  The deaths have been classified as "sudden".
Police said they had not uncovered any evidence to suggest that there was any foul play involved.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian