Yuma toddler on life support in Phoenix after near-drowning
More than $45,000 has already been raised to help child’s family
A toddler from Yuma remained on life support in Phoenix over the weekend after he had been pulled out from a pool, and more than $45,000 has been raised through a crowdfunding site for costs related to the tragedy.
Sgt. Lori Franklin said first responders were called to the 2100 block of East 27th Street at 1:51 p.m. June 3, as the 2-year-old boy was pulled from the pool and a family member administered first aid. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center and then flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for treatment.
The incident is considered an accident and no criminal activity is suspected, she said.
The child, Atticus Krizay, remained in critical condition last week after no brain activity had been detected, according to updates on a GoFundMe page set up for his parents, Travis Krizay and Ashley Simms of Yuma.
Posts posted on the page for his parents describe Atticus as “our sweet, wild boy” and add, “No part of his brain survived the accident so we ask at this time that we continue to pray for our sweet boy and his strength and serenity,” as well as for the family and anyone else who’d known “this perfect angel.”
On Thursday, his parents said that while the boy would not be eligible for organ donation, his eyes and heart valves can be used to treat other children.
“This was a huge win for us today. We will soon be transferring our sweet boy to ‘Ryan’s house’ where we can take him outdoors (HUGE! Because he hates being inside),” the post said, referring to a facility in Phoenix where palliative and end-of-life care is given to children and their families.
Christin Gilmer, who created the GoFundMe page Thursday, said she went to Kofa High School with Travis Krizay, and that his family has been very involved with the community.
As of Sunday evening the GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/help-travis-and-ashley039sfamily, had raised $47,000, toward a goal that had been raised from $25,000 to $45,000.
A Saturday update said the boy had seemed to be fighting to stay alive, but “we are noticing him slowly letting go. He is telling us in his own way what to do and when to do it. We could not be more thankful for every moment with this special angel; he lived for
the moment with kindness and adventure.”
The family thanked the donors and community for their support over the past week: “We feel every single bit of it and it’s overwhelming.”
Donations can also be made through Caring Bridge, www.caringbridge.org/visit/atticuskrizay.
Yuma resident Rudy Rambo has posted on Facebook plans to hold a fundraiser show for the family Saturday at Littlewood Fine Arts and Community Co-op, 1480 S. 2nd Ave.