Antigua-Barbuda: Financial appeal for fire victim causes family conflict

The father of the baby who was burnt in a deadly house fire in 2016 is defending his earlier appeal for financial support, despite opposition from the child’s maternal extended family that the child is not in need.

Eddy Prince’s one-year-old son David sustained burns to his hand and face when a fire destroyed the family’s home.

His mother, Nurse Gayan Williams and his brother, three-year-old Jayden, died after they were airlifted to Martinique and Guadeloupe.

David is currently in Atlanta, USA, in the care of his father’s relatives.

Eddy started a GoFundMe campaign and said that the US$5,000 being raised would cover the cost of the child’s airfare to Boston as well as accommodation – since the child is expected to have further appointments after his procedure – and possible medication.

The corrective surgery that would be done on the left hand is free of cost.

However, aunt of the deceased, Nurse Lauralyn Williams is encouraging members of the public not to donate to the fund because she is more than able to immediately come up with the sum.

Yet, Eddy is resolute that he has not received any help from the extended family to get David medical attention since he was released from Mount St John’s Medical Centre, and he is determined to do what is in the best interest of his son.

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