Parade held for severely burned Bridgeport boy, 6
BRIDGEPORT — Police continued to investigate Thursday the weekend incident that led to devastating injuries for a 6-year-old boy.
Dominick Krankall’s family said he suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face and legs when he was hit by a ball set on fire.
As police worked to piece together the events that led to Dominick’s injuries, a parade of dozens of emergency vehicles passed by Bridgeport Hospital on Thursday morning to show support for the little boy.
“It almost makes me want to cry,” said Kayla Deegan, Dominick’s older sister, as she watched the parade of police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, lights flashing and sirens blaring.
From a hospital room several floors above, Dominick waved under a sign on the window that
thanked those who participated.
The parade — organized by the city — drew emergency responders from more than 20 municipalities and agencies across the state, as far away as Danbury, New London, and East Hartford.
Two Bridgeport police vehicles led the parade, followed by a phalanx of 10 motorcycle cops, who paused in the traffic circle in front of the hospital to wave at Krankall.*
A Bridgeport SWAT van followed and stopped in front of the hospital, where Mayor Joe Ganim took the mic of the vehicle’s PA to wish Dominick well.
“We feel so terrible about what has happened,” Ganim said. “You’ve touched everyone in this state with your courage and your strength.”
“I’m amazed that the community put this together for him,” Deegan said. “I don’t even have the words for it, it’s an amazing thing that they did this for him. I see him up there and I bet he has the biggest smile on his face.”
Deegan said her brother “had a bad day yesterday but he’s improving a little bit each day.”
“We are very honored to be able to take care of Dominick during this time,” Dr. Magna Dias, the hospital’s director of pediatrics, said.
Dominick remains hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns on his face and legs, according to family. A GoFundMe created by the family surpassed $400,000 in donations as of Thursday evening.
Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury police chief and president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said the group was contacted to help organize the parade.
“It is a very tragic situation for young Dominick and we hope that this little gesture will have a big impact on him,” Ridenhour said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and we all wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
Police said up to four children were left unattended and seen Sunday afternoon “with gasoline and lighting objects on fire” on Louisiana Avenue in the city’s upper East Side. Police said one child was transported to the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit.
Police have not provided more information and have not said whether charges are pending. A city spokesman said Thursday the incident remains under investigation with fire inspectors awaiting an analysis.
Images shared by the family show Dominick in the hospital with his face completely covered in bandages.
The boy’s father, Aaron Krankall, said his son is expected to recover, but may have permanent scars or discoloration on his face.
“I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody, especially my little Dominick,” Krankall said. “He’s just the nicest kid.”
At the parade, Francis DiScala, a lawyer who said he’s representing the family, said he hadn’t yet seen any police reports in the case.
“I’m just amazed at his courage and the family’s stability to endure the unthinkable,” he said.