FUNERAL HELD FOR BOY ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY STEPDAD

Family and friends gathered Friday in Thorold, Ont., for the funeral of a seven- year- old boy who died last week in St. Catharines, Ont., leading to a murder charge against his stepfather. Nathan Dumas was rushed to hospital on Friday but died the next day. Earlier this week, a makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed animals was erected outside a St. Catharines sandwich shop owned by Nathan’s grandparents. Police launched a manhunt for his stepfather, 43-year-old Justin Kuijer. He was arrested on Tuesday in Kenora, Ont., and appeared in court Thursday to face a first-degree murder charge in Nathan’s death. Kuijer is to appear in court again on April 19. Kuijer is also charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack on a female bank employee.