Sensory Playground To Be Named For Plainfield Boy Killed In Hate Crime

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Park District will dedicate a sensory playground in remembrance of Wadee Alfayoumi, who was killed in October 2023 in what government officials call a hate crime.

The Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution at its regular meeting Wednesday to name the sensory playground on the east side of Van Horn Woods after the 6-year-old boy.

The playground is designed to be an inclusive space where children of all abilities can play and connect. Park district officials said the dedication aligns with the organization's mission to provide welcoming and accessible recreational spaces for all residents.

"This dedication reflects our commitment to fostering a strong and supportive community," Board President Bill Thoman said in a statement. "Wadee's memory will live on through the laughter and joy of the children who play here."

On Oct. 14, 2023, Wadee was stabbed 26 times, and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, was seriously injured in an attack that prosecutors say was motivated by hatred against their Palestinian heritage, Patch reported.

The family's 72-year-old landlord, Joseph Czuba, was accused of the murder and remains jailed on eight charges, including several charges of committing a hate crime and multiple counts of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Czuba's trial is set to begin at the end of February.

Read: More of Patch's coverage of the Plainfield hate crime.

The resolution that resulted in the playground dedication was introduced after Mohammed Faheem, president of American Muslims Assisting Neighbors, started a petition, discussed at the January Board meeting, to memorialize Wadee "in a way that promotes accessibility and joy for all children," according to a news release.

"This resolution is a testament to our community’s compassion and commitment to standing together in both sorrow and hope," Faheem said in a statement. "By naming this playground in Wadee’s honor, we are ensuring that his memory continues to bring happiness to children and families for years to come."

Editor's note: Patch's spelling of Wadee Alfayoumi's name is the same as in court documents. The Plainfield Park District spelled it "Al Fayoumi."