SHOCKING new footage has revealed how a boy’s face caught fire after playing with gasoline despite earlier claims that the second and third-degree burns were the result of a violent bullying incident.
Dominick Krankall, a 6-year-old Connecticut boy, was severely burned on April 6 in an event that made national headlines, but a horror video confirmed there is no evidence of foul play, cops said.
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After the traumatic event, Dominick’s family claimed that an 8-year-old neighbor “lured” the burn victim around the corner before lighting him on fire.
But after their investigation, cops determined that surveillance footage clears the boys of wrongdoing, and the neighboring family is coming forward with their side of the story.
“They were interacting in the backyard being boys,” Laura Giacobbe, the mother of the accused bullies, told WFSB.
The video shows four boys using gasoline to light fires, even kicking a flaming soccer ball in the backyard before Dominick is seen wiping the dangerous substance all over his pants.
“Dominick was not left there to die. My 11-year-old son, Lorenzo, saved him, took his bare hands, and took the fire out on his face,” Giacobbe said.
It has been determined that Dominick caught fire after kicking or stepping on a plastic cup filled with gasoline that was lit on fire, police said.
When the story first came to light, there was an outpour of support for Dominick and his family.
Shocking images of the burn victim showed his face completely wrapped in gauze with blistering around his nose and mouth.
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Dominick’s family created a GoFundMe after the event where they raised nearly $600,000.
On the GoFundMe, the family wrote, “We are looking for help for a new home because it is not safe here.
“The bully has gotten away with too much and has a history of bullying.
“The mother thinks he is innocent.”
However, police said in a statement that footage revealed “At least three of the children (ages six, seven, and eight) were observed playing with fire and gasoline.
“There is nothing on the video portraying any of the children deliberately injuring the other.”
The neighboring family is considering taking legal action due to the incident, the family’s attorney told WFSB.
“This is sickening, very sad that you can wrap a child and lie all over the world,” Giacobbe said.
“Come out with the truth and not use their child for money.”
Dominick’s family gave an update on GoFundMe when the footage was released to officials.
“We have not been allowed to see the video,” they said a week ago. “It is unfortunately not being shared with us.”
“We wish no ill will on the family of our former friend, and we apologize for the emotional way this had evolved.”
Officials said in the statement that this investigation is ongoing, and they are still conducting interviews.
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