Toddler Killed In ENY Fall Was Months Shy Of Birthday: GoFundMe

EAST NEW YORK, NY — Two-year-old Lareese Williams Jr. was just three months away from his next birthday when he fatally fell six stories from his East New York home, according to a GoFundMe raising money for his burial.

Family member Darnell W. described Lareese — who died in a six-story fall Monday from his parents' Eldert Lane apartment — as a bright and much beloved little boy in a crowdsourcing campaign launched Tuesday.

"We can remember Laresse, Jr. jolting with energy and joys of being a happy 2 year old," Darnell wrote. "Being very inquisitive and filled with smiles."

Darnell, whom GoFundMe confirmed is a cousin of one of Lareese's parents, hopes to raise $4,000 for the little boy's funeral and to help his mom and dad.

"They would've never thought an incident like this would've happen," wrote Darnell. "This unfortunate and tragic incident has brought a deeper hardship...."

According to police, Lareese fell six stories from the apartment building and into the courtyard of 760 Eldert Lane and Blake Avenue.

Emergency responders rushed the toddler to Brookdale Hospital, but doctors could not save his life.

Lareese's fall baffled his neighbors who mourned the little boy's death.

"It's just heartbreaking," community advocate Michael Thomas told Patch on Monday. "My heart and my prayers go out to the family."

As Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $210 from five donors. The creator of the GoFundMe, Darnell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

GoFundMe is a Patch media partner.