Community Corner
GoFundMe Started For Family Of 7-Year-Old Killed In Wash Heights
The family is looking to raise enough funds to send the seven-year-old's body to the Dominican Republic, so his mother can see him.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A fundraiser was recently created to help transport the body of a boy killed in a fire in Washington Heights and to help the child's family. The money is being raised so the body of 7-year-old Robert Resto can be taken to the Dominican Republic so he can be with his mother.
Early Saturday morning, a blaze engulfed the basement and first floor of 660 West 178th Street before firefighters managed to put it out.
Resto, a second-grader, was pronounced dead at the scene after he was found under his bed with severe burns, reported the Daily News.
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Resto's 54-year-old grandmother was also taken to a hospital in serious condition.
The FDNY told the Daily News that the flames were started by a power strip and that the Department of Buildings is investigating the possibility of "an illegal conversion to create more apartments in the building."
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Resto's mother is now awaiting the arrival of her son's body in the Dominican Republic, but the family currently doesn't have the funds necessary to make this happen as the father stays with the grandmother in the hospital.
"Their apartment was completely destroyed, along with all of their personal belongings including personal documents," reads a message within the GoFundMe for the Resto family. "The family's goal is to transport Robert back to the Dominican Republic where his mother is awaiting his arrival. However, his father and grandmother, who is currently in the hospital in critical condition, do not have the funds necessary to make this happen."
"Robert was a loving and caring kid, who's birthday was soon approaching in December," continues the GoFundMe description. "He was a studious 2nd grader that enjoyed spending his time with his family. He was known by his neighbors as the jolly kid that was always smiling and greeting everyone. He loved to dance and make TikToks with his friends. The family is in complete disbelief of this tragic event."
The GoFundMe has raised $16,300 of its $25,000 goal as of 1 p.m. on Monday.
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