WICHITA, Kansas -- Authorities in Sedgwick County have three people in custody in connection with the murder of a pregnant Wichita middle school student. While the investigation continues, friends and family are trying to deal with the grief.

Counselors spent nearly five hours Monday at Allison Middle School talking with students and friends of Chelsea Brooks. The students say the talking means a lot.

"She was very courageous, she really was. When she had something in her head she went for it. She said, ’I can do this.’ She never let herself get down," said one of her friends.

Still, Brook’s friends admit being pregnant in middle school wasn’t the easiest for Chelsea.

"At eighth grade graduation, she got up on stage. She was so pretty. She walked and smiled even though eight months pregnant is not very usual. She got up there and smiled. She got awards. She finished off the year with a good grade-point average," said Megan Kettler.

"As much as she was embarrassed, she wanted that baby to come. She knew that was a part of her and that she could be there for that baby. She really would have been a good mother. She really would have," said another friend.

In fact, friends had planned a baby shower this past Saturday to celebrate the upcoming birth of Chelsea’s baby, a little girl she planned to call Alexa Lynn. Instead, they were dealing with the news that she’d never get to meet her baby. She was robbed of that chance at the hand of a murderer -- her body found in a shallow grave in Butler County.

According to Kansas law, Chelsea is the only victim, even if her unborn child died too. Kansas does not have a law on the books regarding the homicide of a fetus.

"We will continue to pursue just punishment for the person or persons responsible for the death of our daughter and granddaughter. Two lives were taken from us last week and we will do whatever it takes to make sure that the law, in the future, recognizes all life, even if it is too late for our girls," said Terri Brooks, mother of victim.

"Twice in the past 20 years, the Kansas Supreme Court has examined whether or not a "human being," within the meaning of the homicide statute, includes a fetus. In both times, the Supreme Court has held that a fetus is not included in the homicide statutes," said Dan Monnat, Wichita attorney.

At least 34 states have fetal homicide laws on the books. While Kansas does not, there are stiffer penalties to a suspect convicted of injuring a pregnant woman. That law applies when the injury to a pregnant woman in the commission of a felony or misdemeanor causes the pregnant woman to suffer a miscarriage as a result of that injury.

Despite what friends and family consider a lack of justice for baby Alexa, they take comfort in a higher power.

"She’s safe. Her and her baby are safe in heaven. I truly believe that they are in heaven and they are safe and they will be. No one can ever hurt them again," said Brandy Brown.

The Brooks family has set up a memorial fund for Chelsea and her unborn daughter, Alexa. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to any Prairie State Bank and should be made payable to the "Chelsea and Alexa Brooks Memorial Fund."

As for who took Chelsea’s life, authorities have three suspects in custody -- a 17-year-old was arrested Friday. Over the weekend, police arrested 20-year-old Elgin Robinson and 49-year-old Theodore Burnett. Police aren’t releasing many details about their roles in the murder but friends tell us the Robinson was Chelsea’s boyfriend and the 17-year-old was one of his good friends.

Those three suspects are expected to be formally charged Tuesday. There is no decision yet as to whether the 17-year-old will be charged as a juvenile or adult.