BUTLER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— We begin with a 13-year-old boy being laid to rest Friday more than a month after he was tortured and killed.
Friday morning's service was attended by several community members, all remembering a life cut far too short.
"I'm sure he's looking down on us right now and appreciates what we're doing for him," expressed Kathy Tomcheck.
Search for next of kin after man’s death
13-year-old Jacob Delgadillo, laid to rest Friday morning at St. John's Cemetery in Drums.
The funeral, coming more than a month after the boy was tortured and killed at his home.
Delgadillo's foster parents are both being charged in his death.
39-year-old Cesar Delgadillo, facing several charges, including criminal homicide.
34-year-old Virginia Yar Delgadillo, also facing charges, including endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors.
After a memorial service in Weatherly, many believed the boy had been buried.
When members of St. John's United Church of Christ found out he hadn't, they stepped in.
"By 3:00 p.m. on August 11, we had the plot. We had the availability for the service and everything. Last Thursday, I received a call from the coroner's office and the coroner asked us if the plot was still available. I said to the coroner, I said we're not going to just have a plot, we're going to have an actual service," explained Sherry Castrine, member, St. John's United Church of Christ.
Kathy Tomcheck and her husband Joe donated their family plot so he could be buried with their family.
"My niece suggested, or had said, that I feel bad that he's not with a family, and we all came together and said, well he can join our family. He can be with our family for eternity, and I happen to have a plot available, and I'm grateful to be able to give him the proper burial and join our family," expressed Tomcheck.
Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home in Wilkes-Barre provided their services free of charge.
"We're more than happy to help out, with someone so young with the tragedy that has happened. It's just a shame that this had to go on, so we wanted to make sure that he received a proper burial and everything was done correctly," said Art Bobbouine, mortuary intern, Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home.
Friday's service, serving mourners as a moment to remember Jacob's life and as a time for change.
"No child should endure or nobody should endure anything like what he endured," empathized Tomcheck.
"We wanted Jacob to be treated respectfully, because he wasn't treated respectfully in life. We want him to be buried in love and dignity, but we also want to enact change where nothing like this ever happens again," added Castrine.
Catawissa Monument is in the process of designing a diamond shaped headstone for Jacob.
That will also be free of charge.
