WELAKA, Fla. — Three days after a 4-year-old boy with autism was found dead after he went missing and drowned in a river in Putnam County, the community came together for a fundraiser event to support the child’s family.
“People wanna help each other, and that’s what I love about this community," Pam D'Agostino, the organizer, said.
The town of Welaka is standing behind the family of 4-year-old Mason Newstead.
“I just felt like I wanted to bring the community together and show support for the family," D'Agostino, said.
Newstead died Thursday afternoon after he wandered out a back door and drowned in the nearby river. He was autistic and non-verbal.
Authorities are calling Newstead's death a tragic accident because the child's family was home and had several safety protocols in place.
“I went over and met with the family, they’re very devastated, they’re a young family who really has nothing," D'Agostino, said.
She organized a cookout and a motorcycle ride to fundraise money for Newstead’s family after multiple people messaged her wanting to help.
D'Agostino says the whole community was shocked by the accident and wanted to help support Newstead's family.
“Whenever something goes on, and something happens, people are there for you to look out, so that’s important.”
The family also has a GoFundMe account to help raise funds.