More than $23,000 has been raised so far to support the funeral and family of a 7-month-old baby boy found dead in the Connecticut River following his father's suicide attempt.
The goal on a GoFundMe page is to raise $25,000 for the funeral of Aaden Moreno and to help out his mother, who graduated from high school this year.
Aaden died after his father, Tony threw him into the Connecticut River off the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown before jumping himself, police said. Tony Moreno survived and has been charged in his son's murder.
So people in the community are reaching out to help the family in the wake of the tragedy as they prepare to lay baby Aaden to rest. Funds on a GoFundMe campaign will first pay for Aaden's funeral and any leftover donations will benefit the mother.
"She has said time again she's shocked and overcome by people's generosity, and is grateful for every prayer and dollar. Blessings to each of you," the latest GoFundMe page update said.
Aaden's body was found in the Connecticut River in East Haddam on July 7.
"Aaden's young mother and her family are now facing the indescribable pain of losing baby Aaden," the GoFundMe page says. "They are also now suddenly faced with having to pay for funeral expenses for this sweet boy before he could even have his 1st birthday party. On behalf of Aaden's grieving mother, we are raising money to give baby Aaden the funeral service and final resting place he deserves. Please consider donating any amount, and say a prayer for baby Aaden."
U.S. & World
It's unknown when the baby's funeral will be.
Family, friends and strangers attended a vigil on Wednesday to remember 7-month-old Aaden Moreno on Wednesday night.
Aaden's mom was too overcome with grief and could not read the words she'd written during the vigil, so her sister spoke for her.
Through the statement, she thanked everyone who gathered inside South Congregational Church in Middletown as they remembered her son.
"Until this day I had my faith my baby would come back to me. Today is not reality. I lost my son," Aaden's mom wrote. "Everything I do from now on is for my son."
Aaden's mom's requested a protective order against Tony Moreno and court records show a judge denied it days before Aaden was killed.
Over the past week, thousands of people have signed an online petition for a law that aims to protect children caught in similar circumstances.
For more information on how to help Aaden's family, you can visit the GoFundMe page created to raise money for the funeral and his mom.
