Loved ones gathered Friday to say a final goodbye to Zymere Perkins, the 6-year-old Harlem boy found beaten to death last month. NY1's Gene Apodaca filed the following report.

As family members gathered in Vinegar Hill Friday night to say goodbye to Zymere Perkins, relatives remembered a typical 6-year-old boy, one who loved ice cream and bright lights, but most of all affection.

"One thing I did know about him he loved to be hugged and loved to give hugs back," said Demetrius Perkins, Zymere's great-uncle.

Demetrius Perkins says the last time he saw his nephew was on Mother's Day, just months before the little boy died.

Investigators say he was beaten to death by a broomstick, allegedly at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.  

Both his mother, Geraldine Perkins, and her boyfriend, Rysheim Smith, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child, allegations of abuse Perkins says his family did not know about.  

"If we known anything about that, any one of us could have took our nephew," he said.

The Adminstration for Children's Services apparently did know. Five abuse cases had been reported. That revelation has forced city leaders to investigate the agency. Five ACS workers involved in Zymere's case are now on desk duty.

Mark V.C. Taylor, the pastor presiding over the funeral, says Zymere's case needs to be a wake-up call. 

"His whole life is not encapsulated in the taking of his life. He is a fellow whose life has to mean something for the city, for the church," Taylor said.

As the investigation continues, the city did make an unusual move by paying for funeral services, as not only family but those who knew the young boy continue to grieve.

"I don't know. It hurts. It's hurt because he's so little. I say, 'Oh my God,'" said F. Bruce, a family friend.

As for Demetrius Perkins, he's not ready to pass judgment, but he did have a message for his niece.

"Let me just say this. She's a Perkins and we are always going to love her," he said. "I dont know how many people can understand what I'm saying right now, but she's still family."

The family will gather again Saturday, when Zymere will be laid to rest in New Jersey.