Several American media outlets reported that a North Carolina family suffered a horrific tragedy last Tuesday when their 13-year-old autistic son lost his life after he accidentally set fire to the Christmas tree in the family home.
While under the supervision of a caregiver responsible for his care in his mother’s absence, Brandon Gonzalez allegedly placed his hands on a lighter with which he lit a Christmas tree. The fire then spread to the rest of the house.
The caregiver and a five-year-old girl who was also in the home were able to escape the burning home, but Brandon remained trapped in the fire.
Despite the efforts of his caregiver to try to save him, the 13-year-old boy died in the fire.
“I miss him so much; I am dying of sadness,” expressed his grieving mother, Brenda Contreras Juarez.
She added: “We have lost all our material possessions, but the most difficult thing is that we will not be able to recover what hurts us most.” He always made me happy with his smile. He was my everything.”
Brenda Contreras Juarez lived alone with her three children in the house that was completely destroyed by fire.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched on the site GoFundMe.
