WEATHERLY, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — 13-year-old Jacob Delgadillo was laid to rest on Tuesday after police say he was killed by his foster parent more than a week ago.
Several area first responders came out to the Faith Church in Weatherly to give Delgadillo a proper send-off.
A somber scene in Weatherly as a 13-year-old Jacob Delgadillo's remains were carried out of Faith Church by his siblings on Tuesday.
According to state police, the teenager, tortured and killed by his foster parent, 39-year-old Cesar Delgadillo, on the morning of August 4 in Butler Township.
First responders from several local police, fire, and EMS agencies paying their respects to a life cut far too short.
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"This is a senseless tragedy. This is a tragedy that should've never occurred. And I think we also want to come together to show that he was never forgotten. You know and he will always be remembered, you know. In the service, they spoke about he's a fun-loving character as a child, and I think that bottom line is that spirit should live on in all of us," City of Hazleton Fire Department Chief Donald Leshko said.
Leshko says the day also serves as a time for advocacy.
"It makes you sick. It's very sickening, very disheartening. This is something that we, we never would. I don't think emergency services ever want to get called for. But, in turn, we all come together and bond and try to build this spirit and make this so this will never happen again," Chief Leshko added.
Cesar Delgadillo and his wife, Virginia, are being charged with several crimes related to the case.
They are being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail.
