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Although he met an early end, a 23-month old toddler died a hero in the hearts of many after trying to save his puppy, which was trapped inside their burning home in Arkansas, United States.
Loki Nicholi Mason Sharp reportedly ran back into the house unnoticed while his siblings were already outside with their parents, Gentry fire chief Vester Cripps told Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last Monday, Dec. 2.
Sharp slipped through the eyes of his parents Kurtis and Caitlin, who were trying to put out the fire at the time. The toddler then got trapped inside the house. His body was discovered by firefighters later on.
The Gentry Fire Department is still investigating the incident, which occurred last Saturday, Nov. 30. They believe the cause of the blaze to be electrical.
The mourning father, Kurtis, expressed his grief online and warned other parents to “never take your children for granted,” as seen on his Facebook post last Sunday, Dec. 1.
“Cherish every waking moment with them!!!! We love [you] bubba and we know [you’re] in a better place!” he wrote.
The parents, through Kurtis’ account, left an emotional tribute for their beloved son, as seen on Facebook yesterday, Dec. 3.
“Fly high baby boy [you] are extremely missed and loved,” he said. “We know [you are] home and it kills us to see [you] have to go so soon. But mommy and daddy and all [your] siblings and family love [you] dearly.”
Caitlin also left a touching tribute for her son, saying she would “give everything to have taken your place that day,” as seen on her husband Kurtis’ Facebook post yesterday.
“Mommy loves [you] little turkey bird. It’s so hard not having [you] here in my arms and I know [you’re] here at nons and papas, [you] show it every day but it’s not the same,” she said. “I’ll always cherish the last time I held [you] in my arms. This is so hard for us bubba and I hope one day we get our answers or even just a little closure but until then I’ll go through my emotional roller coaster I’ve been on and be as strong as I possibly can.”
“I love [you] very much baby boy and I can’t wait till I get to hold [you] in my arms again!!!” she added.
The grieving family has set up a fundraiser to cover for the toddler’s funeral.
“This is our son please share we lost everything including our home our child and a dog,” the father pleaded.
In memory of their son, Kurtis requested through Facebook yesterday for those who will visit Sharp’s funeral to not just wear black, because “his colors are red white and black so mix it up please.”
“We don’t want it to be anymore depressing than it’s already gonna be,” he added.
The toddler’s funeral will be on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Interested persons can donate through the gofundme page set up by the Sharp family. JB
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