Family and friends held a fundraiser for the funeral of an eight-year old police say was murdered by his father in Queens. NY1′s Lori Chung filed the following report.
A steady stream of family and friends gathered in Sunset Park to try to come to grups with the violent death of eight-year-old Jerry Kenmoe—a boy remembered as caring and loving.
“He was wonderful, joyful, full of life, liked to play soccer, watch movies as any other kid,” said the boy’s uncle, Schapuli Saikim.
In Queens, the entrance of P.S. 107 in Flushing where Jerry was a student turned intoa makeshift donation site this weekend—set up to help with burial costs.
“I felt compelled as a parent to give anything I could, any support I could,” said parent Jackie Leto.
Kenmoe was allegedly strangled to death by his father. Boujeke Kenmoe, 41, is now charged with second degree murder in an attach where police say he also tried to take his own life, but failed.
“He was a really happy, seemed well-adjusted kid, so it was a real shock,” said teacher Rick Simonetti.
Jerry just finished the third grade at P.S. 107. Rick Simonetti says he never noticed any signs of abuse from the boy or his family when Jerry was in his first grade class.
“I met with the father and mother during parent teacher conferences years ago with Jerry in my class and saw none of that,” Simonetti said.
“I wish to God somebody would have realized what was happening or may have been happening to this child when it was happening, but now this is all we can do,” said organizer Kathryn Cuomo.
Organizers behind the fundraiser to help send Jerry’s remains back to his family’s native Cameroon say it’s one way they can come to grips with the loss.
“My son played basketball with Jerry after school. A lot of children did, so they knew him and to explain why he’s no longer here is—it’s unimaginable,” Cuomo said.
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