A tragic incident unfolded in Washington Heights when a 2-year-old boy named King Riley Corporan was left brain dead after being left alone in his mother’s apartment during a fire. The devastated father, Francisco “Gus” Corporan, had to make the difficult decision to pull his son off life support. Despite his grief, Corporan found solace in the possibility of King being an organ donor, knowing that his son could still live on through others. Corporan expressed shock at his wife’s decision to leave their helpless children unattended, revealing the strain in their relationship as well.
In addition to King, his 1-year-old brother remains in critical condition while his 8-year-old sister barely survived the fire. The mother, Skilyn Maldonado, was charged with three misdemeanors for acting in a manner injurious to a child. During Maldonado’s arraignment, prosecutors sought bail, but instead, she was enrolled in an alternative to incarceration program. The community was shocked by the tragic events and the apparent neglect of the children by their mother, who had a history of leaving them alone.
Neighbors recounted the harrowing scenes during the fire, with an 8-year-old girl banging on doors for help while the apartment blazed. The community rallied together to rescue the children, with one neighbor wrapping the girl in a blanket and evacuating her from the building. It was revealed that Maldonado had a habit of leaving her children home alone, raising concerns about her ability to care for them as a parent. There were also reports of ongoing conflicts between Maldonado and Corporan, with arguments about her lifestyle choices and neglect of the children.
Despite the tragedy, Corporan found solace in the possibility of King being an organ donor, allowing a part of him to live on in others. He struggled with the decision to take his son off life support, highlighting the profound impact of the fire on their family. The father’s resilience and hope for the future were evident in his words, as he grappled with the loss of his son and the ongoing challenges his family faced. The community came together to support the family through a GoFundMe campaign, showing solidarity in the face of tragedy.
As Maldonado faces criminal charges and the repercussions of her actions, the community continues to mourn the loss of King Corporan and pray for the recovery of his siblings. The devastating impact of the fire has left a scar on the neighborhood and raised important questions about child neglect and parental responsibility. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and care when it comes to the well-being of children, urging communities to support those in need and prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening in the future. The family’s journey towards healing and justice will continue as they navigate the aftermath of the fire and come to terms with the loss of a beloved child.
