*** PLEASE HELP! *** THESE YOUNG BOYS NEED AN OUTPOURING OF OUR CARE, LOVE, AND SUPPORT
Above images: 66 Murray Way, Hyannis, the scene of Friday morning’s murder/suicide. Insert: Aline de Castro – who was killed Friday morning – and her two sons, Leonardo and Igor (used with permission from fundraiser organizers).
HN NOTES: One of the images that has stuck in my head ever since Friday morning’s grisly murder/suicide scene, was looking right into the frightened eyes of the two young boys (now orphaned) who had just witnessed something no child should ever have to witness. They were “safe” now, standing outside of the residence with a Barnstable policewoman who spoke Portuguese, a language they spoke at home. At least one of the boys, the 11-year-old, had witnessed his mother stabbed with a knife. And he was the one who described what had just happened to police dispatch. He had just seen far too much of a scene that was later described to HN as being nothing short of “horrific.”
Upon waking last evening for another overnight shift, I became aware of a fundraiser that had been organized and supported by members of the local Brazilian community (our community). Those behind the fundraiser include people who knew the family, local entrepreneurs and at least two members of local law enforcement. The initial goal of the fundraiser was to raise money for funeral expenses…
… but, encouraged by the instant generosity of the community, that goal has now expanded and raised new hopes.
HN spoke with two of the principal organizers, Talita Camilo and Jian Barcelo, and learned the boys do not have family locally. HN also learned that the fundraiser’s organizers have been speaking with the boy’s maternal grandmother who is currently in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a significant distance from the state’s main city, also named São Paulo. One of the prevailing ideas is to obtain an emergency visa for the grandmother to travel to Cape Cod in order to be with her grandchildren. But there are several obstacles to overcome. They would need a death certificate and a way to get the grandmother to the nearest US Consulate in the city of São Paulo. Not a guarantee nor easy task. In short, in order to accomplish what organizers believe is in the best interests of the boys, they will need funding and ongoing support, and lots of it. But having just listened to the determination of Camilo and Barcelo, in two separate phone calls, there’s no doubt that with the participation and help of the larger community, much needed miracles will come to fruition.
And that’s precisely what these young children need right now, all the prayers anyone can spare, lots and lots of funding, healing and miracles.
Knowing the kindness of HN readers, I knew many of you would want to help… and the following is at least one of hopefully many ways that will arise in the days and months to come.
I was encouraged to learn the fundraiser for the boys has already raised over $23,000 in under 24 hours. But we need that number to rise exponentially. And here’s why:
Organizers are thankful to report that the boys are currently not in state custody… and are, in fact, staying with a woman who was friends with their mother. The woman, named Patricia, has been very gracious and generous to take the boys into her family, which includes her husband and two children of her own (all of whom are familiar with the boys), all currently living in what has been described as a very tiny house in the Falmouth area… one that will be too small in the long run. And organizers are busy trying to find new, larger and more appropriate housing for the woman and her family, which just suddenly increased by two… and they have some alternatives they are currently looking into, but everything will cost a lot of money. (Which will hopefully become the least of everyone’s concerns as fundraisers succeed.) These boys are about to begin their long journey of healing. Anything that can make things easier for all involved will most certainly benefit these two innocent children.
It is also hoped that the maternal grandmother will soon be reunited and able to stay with the boys in their current, new home.
So, in brief, that’s where we’re at… (and I say “we” because I know we are all fortunate and blessed to live in community that takes ownership in these situations.)
The following is a link to the fundraiser, which is really only one of the many basic things that need to happen for these young boys to heal. I know HN readers will open their hearts and give. Please also feel free to share the fundraiser link far and wide.
And most importantly, please keep these innocent children in your thoughts and prayers!
Thank you and God bless,
Rob Bastille, HN
CLICK HERE to visit the fundraiser set up to help Leonardo and Igor…
