Novah Zirkelbach died on Tuesday of unknown causes. Friends and family had hung blue ribbons around the village to remember the boy, but today they were told that the ribbons have to come down.
A Facebook page in Novah's memory quoted an email received from the village this morning:
"No one called to inquire of the Village and attempt to get permission. We really can't allow this or everyone who is in a similar situation of the loss of a loved one would be doing this."
Kimberly Janus, a family friend who set up the Facebook page, says that the family is devastated and hasn't taken anything down yet.
"I'm heartbroken by the village right now," Janus said. "They didn't even have the memorial service yet."
Calls to the village of Manteno went unanswered Thursday night. Manteno police said that they haven't heard about the dispute.
