Fundraiser set up to pay for funeral of Independence child killed after falling 8 floors

This story has been updated to reflect changes made to the GoFundMe on Saturday, Aug. 3.

A grandmother is raising funds to bury her 3-year-old grandson, after he died Monday from a fall from his eighth floor apartment in an Independence high-rise.

Sarah Walker-Crook created a GoFundMe to pay for the funeral costs of the boy, identified only as Tidus.

“Anything helps during this incredibly difficult time,” Walker-Crook said in the post.

Tidus, who has not been publicly identified by police or prosecutors, was found lying on the grass outside the building at 728 N. Jennings Road Monday morning, unconscious but breathing, and was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

On Wednesday, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced charges against the boy’s father, Moses Lee Bass, and his girlfriend, Destiny Leeann Randle, including a class A felony of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.

Authorities said an unsecured window led to his death, according to charging documents filed by the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.

But the woman charged in the case told police that, for months, she tried to get the window fixed by building management.

“Randle reported that she has attempted several times to get building management to fix the window and stated the window has been in that condition since they moved in approximately (one) year ago,” Independence police detective Kurt Jarnagin wrote in charging documents.

KC Tenants, a local tenant union representing residents in building, is also collecting donations for the family, including size 3 and 4 diapers, Simulac Advance baby formula, kids juice and snacks.

“Our hearts go out to the family, the neighbors, and everyone affected by this tragedy. While none of us have the full details, what we do know is this: Independence Towers is dangerous, and every tenant deserves better,” said director of KC Tenants Tara Raghuveer in a statement.

For months, tenants have organized to advocate for fixes to what they say is an unsafe and unhealthy building. Tenants lived without hot water for two weeks in March, and have contended with cockroaches, pests, plumbing problems and a broken HVAC system.

As of 3 p.m. Thursday, $2,720 has been raised of the $7,500 goal.

This story was originally published August 1, 2024 at 3:21 PM.