A Louisiana family's hearts are shattered after losing their precious toddler to an animal attack. Da'Angelo Manning, 17 months, and an unidentified 4-year-old reportedly wandered away from a home in Claiborne Parish on Monday morning. When the family reported the missing children, they never imagined what would happen next.
Da'Angelo's mother, Angelica Marquez, shared her grief over the loss of her son in a series of posts on Facebook. She asked for privacy, adding that she is "not okay." Life will never be the same without her precious boy.
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Police arrived at the home within minutes of the 911 call.
Family realized Da'Angelo and the 4-year-old child were missing around 10 a.m. September 18, according to a report from KTBS. Police arrived at the home in the 100 block of Winkler Road within 15 minutes and began their search. They found the 4-year-old child around 10:30 a.m. with minor scratches that Pafford EMS treated, KTBS reported. The child was released to a guardian.
It took nearly two hours to find Da'Angelo.
Searchers found Da'Angelo's body around noon Monday, the Independent reported. The news outlet obtained a press release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office that noted his body was in an area "where timber had recently been harvested."
Police believe Da'Angelo died from an animal attack but declined to say what kind of animal. An autopsy will be performed, and the toddler's death will be investigated.
Marquez is devastated.
The mother of three sons took to Facebook to share photos and a message with family and friends regarding the loss of her precious Da'Angelo.
"i found out i was pregnant of you on my birthday it was a big surprise for me but i was happy so happy to have you, your brothers loved you so much still do you where my baby.. you where always smiling you will bring a smile out of people, you where amazing trust me you where my snoopy my best friend i remember the day me and your daddy chose your name while you where in my belly," she wrote.
"i remember you help me get through so much on the hard times you do not know how sorry i am that i wasnt there.. you do not know how hard it is .. im trying to keep calm for your brothers i hate so much that you didnt meet your brother, that i didnt hold you one last time kissed you and said i love you because i love you son, im so hurt and so mad.. i just dont know how to get through this baby.. im so sorry."
The family is helping to raise funds for final expenses.
Da'Angelo's cousin, Evelyn Ayala, created a GoFundMe page for his mother. She explained that her family was going through a difficult time, and they were hoping to help her cousin after the "fatal accident." She called the boy Snoopy. The GoFundMe has raised more than $3,600 of a $10,000 goal thus far.
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The family wants privacy.
Ayala wrote on the GoFundMe page that donations are appreciated but asked people not to contact the family now. "We would appreciate it if you could understand the situation that has happened," she urged.
Marquez echoed the sentiment in a Facebook post of her own. "i was planning a birthday party for jr.. not a funeral for you baby.. im trying to stay strong .. no im not okay please dont call me call other family members please please .. i dont need nobody messaging me right now," she wrote.
