A heartless prank has forever changed the life of a six-year-old boy in Connecticut. An innocent game took a dark turn when another child covered a tennis ball with gasoline, set it ablaze, and threw it at the young victim’s face. Dominick Krankall, the brave little boy, survived the horrifying attack but now faces the long and painful road to recovery from second- and third-degree burns on his face and legs.
Dominick’s sister, Kayla Deegan, took to GoFundMe to share the shocking incident and its aftermath. “My six-year-old brother could’ve lost his life. The other child covered a ball in gasoline, lit it on fire, and hurled it at him. All this happened within seconds,” she wrote. “Physically and mentally, he will carry the scars for the rest of his life.”
The incident unfolded in the backyard of Dominick’s family home on Louisiana Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was playing with other children, who were tenants in the house, when tragedy struck. An eight-year-old neighbor broke into a shed, accessing gasoline, lighters, and the tennis ball used in the cruel prank. After throwing the fiery ball at Dominick, the bully callously ran away, leaving the young boy to suffer.
Currently, Dominick is receiving care at the Connecticut Burn Center in Bridgeport Hospital, where he remains in fair condition. Despite the immense challenges, he is fortunate to be near one of only sixty-two specialized burn centers in the entire United States.
Kayla expressed her anger and frustration at the attack on her brother. “(The assailant) has bullied before and faced no consequences. His mother thinks he’s innocent, and the family treats it as a joke,” she shared. “Even though Dominick can’t speak due to his pain and swelling, he whispered to my mom, ‘Please don’t take me back there.’ This is extraordinarily unfair and should never happen to ANY CHILD! We need justice for our little Dominick.”
As of now, authorities have not yet pressed charges against the eight-year-old who committed this unthinkable act. Speaking to NBC New York, Kayla urged authorities to take action and bring justice to her brother. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about Dominick’s story and the profound impact it has had on his life.
Dominick’s family is desperate for his recovery and safety. They are accepting donations to cover the hefty hospital bills and to help them find a new, secure home. “Our current living situation is not safe. Any support, even just sharing our story, would be immensely appreciated. Dominick is grateful for all the support,” they wrote.
Let us come together as a community to support Dominick and ensure that justice is served. No child should have to endure such cruelty, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and uplift the most vulnerable among us.
