Step-dad manhunt continues
Nathan Dumas funeral set for Friday
The community will gather this week to remember a seven-yearold boy who died much too young, as the manhunt continues for his stepfather who is suspected of killing him.
An obituary for Nathan Dumas, published in Tuesday’s Standard, describes him as a “truly kind, loving boy with a big heart, full of compassion for everyone and everything.”
Nathan “was always quick to help anyone who may have been in need. As the polite young gentleman he was, he never missed an opportunity to open a door, give a gift or come to the defence of a good friend.
“There are no words to express the unbearable heartbreak we feel in his loss. He will be fondly remembered by everyone who has been blessed to have met him.”
The obituary says family members, including his mother Whitney, and younger siblings, grandparents and others “will forever miss him with all their heart.”
Visitation is at Pleasantview Funeral Home on Merrittville Highway Thursday 6-8 p.m., and Friday from noon to 2 p.m. before the funeral service.
Nathan was critically injured Friday morning and died a day later in hospital. The nature of his injuries has not been released by police.
His death has been devastating to his friends and teachers at Harriet Tubman Elementary School, where Nathan was a Grade 2 student.
Kim Yielding, District School Board of Niagara’s manager of communications and public relations, said coping with the death of someone close is one of the most difficult challenges people can face. And it can be even more challenging for children.
“We shared the news with the children when they came back on Monday from March break. We shared it in their classrooms with their teachers in age-appropriate ways,” she said.
As trusted adults that the students are familiar with, teachers at the school were asked “to share the sad news,” because they know their students best and understand how they would react to the tragedy.
Yielding said a team of social workers and a psychologist will be present at the school throughout the week.
“Their purpose is to support students if they want to speak about their feelings surrounding Nathan’s passing, and also to help them work through their grief, giving them some coping strategies.”
Parents have been notified about the services being offered at the school.
Students have been busy sharing their fondest memories of Nathan.
“His classmates and students at the school are creating a special memory box for Nathan’s family. If they have a special picture they want to share, or they have a story about Nathan or a picture of what they loved about Nathan, a favourite memory, they’re writing those down or making artwork.”
In addition to being a special gift, the project is “a way for students to remember Nathan and work through their grief,” Yielding said.
Meanwhile, the manhunt continues for Justin Kuijer, 43, accused of second-degree murder.
A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Kuijer, who also faces a charge of attempted murder related to last Friday morning ’s stabbing of an employee at the Martindale Road RBC branch.
The woman, whom police have not identified, is still recovering in hospital.
Niagara Regional Police Const. Phil Gavin said local police officers have so far received more than 100 tips related to the manhunt.
Despite tips and reported sightings of Kuijer in other parts of the province, Ontario Provincial Police acting Staff Sgt. Peter Leon said they have so far proven fruitless.
“Unfortunately, there appears to be a source up in the Muskoka area that is utilizing social media to put information out there and it is causing a bit of unnecessary attention, given this very serious investigation,” he said.
Leon said the Bracebridge OPP detachment has received three calls regarding sightings of the suspect.
“There were a few reports that were thoroughly investigated, and determined to be unrelated,” he said, adding his office has been working with the NRP on the investigation.
One reported sighting of Kujier led Niagara police to issue a statement via Twitter “Re: Port Severn – This is not a confirmed sighting. We are working with local police to follow up on the information. We are asking the public to be vigilant and report any information or possible sightings. We reiterate that Justin Kuijer is considered armed and dangerous.”