Community Rallies To Help Connecticut Child Burn Victim

CONNECTICUT — A Hartford firefighter’s daughter was injured in an accident earlier this month, and now the statewide firefighting community and residents have been trying to help with the child’s medical costs.

Michael and Loren DeBella’s daughter Giuliana Marie, who is about to turn three, suffered multiple burn injuries on Sunday, May 18. In a GoFundMe campaign, it states "tragedy fell on the DeBella family when Mike & Loren’s soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter, Giuliana Marie, was badly burned in an absolute freak accident."

The accident involved a small tabletop fire pit, the type used for making s’mores, according to Windsor Locks police Lt. Paul Cherniack, who described it as being the size of a “large coffee mug.” The child was injured when an unexpected gust of wind pushed the flames toward her.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the child and her family. As of Thursday, people had donated $51,754 via 495 donations toward a goal of $56,000.

The child, whose nickname is “GiGi,” suffered burns to her face, hands, arm, shoulder, and chest, according to the campaign.

The child is being treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, which has a burn care section.

“Needless to say, she has a long, extremely tough road ahead to recovery with procedures and possible skin grafts,” the campaign says.

All the money raised will go toward the child’s current and future treatments.

Lauren Medeiros, the campaign organizer, said the community has been “tremendous and extremely supportive.”

“We have surpassed our first donation goal and ended up modifying the goal to 55k, and (we are) hoping to continue going for the DeBella family,” she said.

The child’s father, Mike DeBella, is a Hartford firefighter.

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut announced on its Facebook page that Hartford firefighters have established a checking account for the family at the Hartford Credit Union for donations. The association’s Facebook page includes details on how its membership can contribute.

Read more:

Girl Burned During Incident Involving Fire Pit: Windsor Locks Police