Family of slain toddler seeks donations for his funeral and burial
The family of a 2-year-old Gastonia boy who police said was killed by his mother’s live-in boyfriend hopes to raise $5,000 for the toddler’s funeral and burial.
Kye Abdul Rashid was pronounced dead after he was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia on Nov. 5 by his mother and the suspect, 25-year-old Marquis Julius Graham, according to police.
Police charged Graham with first-degree murder. Police have not said how the boy died.
Graham left the hospital before police arrived. He turned himself in two days later, Gaston County Police said.
Kye’s grandmother, Sharandah Barnett of Charlotte, started a GoFundMe page to raise the money “to send him a proper homegoing.”
“I thank everyone for your support and prayers for Kye,” Barnett said. “Gone but never forgotten.”
House of Rosadale Home of Funerals in Gastonia is servicing the Barnett and Rashid family and has posted the Go Fund Me site on its Facebook page.
Joe Marusak: 704-358-5067, @jmarusak
This story was originally published November 13, 2017 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Family of slain toddler seeks donations for his funeral and burial."