Funeral services held for St. Catharines boy allegedly killed by stepdad

THOROLD, Ont. — Family and friends gathered Friday 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.

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 firstdegree murder charge in Nathan’s death. Kuijer is to appear in court again on April 19.

A visitation was held for Nathan on Thursday and his funeral was held following a second visitation in Thorold, Ont., on Friday afternoon.

Earlier this week, a makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed animals was erected outside a St. Catharines sandwich shop owned by Nathan’s grandparents.

Kuijer is also charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack on a female employee at a St. Catharines branch of the Royal Bank.

AARON LYNETT/THE CANADIAN PRESS Whitney Dumas, centre, arrives with her children to Pleasantview funeral home in Thorold, Ont., Friday, for the funeral of her 7-year-old son Nathan Dumas who was killed last week.