"Every little bit helps:" Milwaukee organization donates $1,200 toward Kevin Little's funeral costs
MILWAUKEE -- A 10-year-old boy is being hailed a hero -- as his family prepares for his funeral on Friday, November 13th. On Thursday, they got some help with funeral expenses.
Janice Gorden
The woman stepping up to help the victim's family says she saw their story on the news and wanted to reach out.
"The crime in Milwaukee has just gotten out of hand," said Janice Gorden, with the "Victims of Milwaukee Violence Burial Fund."
Gorden was watching FOX6 News on Wednesday, when she saw the story about Kevin Little. The boy died this past Sunday, November 8th -- at a hospice facility where he was being cared for after an arson fire on October 20th.
Kevin Little and Tae'najah Morgan
Little's cousin, two-year-old Tae'najah Morgan died one day after that fire.
It was Little who woke his family and alerted them to the fire. The grandmother and four other children got out safely. Little then went back inside -- for his two-year-old cousin.
Officials say Little was found using his body as a shield -- covering Tae'najah. Ultimately, both children would die as a result of this arson fire.
Little's family told FOX6 News they were struggling to cover the cost of the children's funerals.
Kevin Little
"Every little bit helps, every little bit, and you know it don't matter if it's a dollar -- it goes a long way," said Areial Rice, Kevin Little's mother.
Through her connections with the Victims of Milwaukee Violence Burial Fund, Gorden says she was able to secure Little's family a $1,200 donation.
She called Little's mom to give her the news.
"She sounded very relieved at the end of our conversation," said Gorden.
Michael Morgan
On Thursday morning, Michael Morgan, the man charged with intentionally setting the fire, appeared in court. Morgan is the estranged husband of Little's mom, and was already being prosecuted for two domestic violence cases.
A Milwaukee homicide detective testified that evidence of an accelerant was found on the home's first floor.
"There was a heavy odor that was consistent with the odor of gasoline," said Detective Larry Schinke with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Morgan has been charged with arson -- but he hasn't yet been charged in connection with the deaths of Little and Tae'najah Morgan.
Fire at 36th and Silver Spring Drive
Gorden says she hopes the family can focus on laying Little to rest on Friday, instead of worrying about the money.
"I just wanted to make sure that they have what they need," said Gorden.
Gorden also plans to help Little's family get some of their funeral expenses reimbursed.
The family of Kevin Little has also created a fund to help cover funeral expenses. Send donations to:
Areial Morgan
c/o Elim Tabernacle
5000 S. 60th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53220
414-282-1170