A 1-year-old was killed outside of a Fort Worth, Texas hospital after a man ambushed and attempted to steal his mother’s car during a custody swap.
Zayden McLean and his mother Bailey Bingham were meeting Shea McLean in the parking lot of the Texas Health Huguley Hospital when a man interrupted their parental exchange and tried to get into Bingham’s car, The Dallas Morning News reports.
While the toddler was being held in his mother’s arm, the alleged suspect, Nico Lorenzo Dela-Fuente, got into the car, and Zayden’s father got in right after in an attempt to stop the car from being stolen. While in the vehicle, the pair struggled as the car was in reverse. It was then that the car “struck the parent and the child, causing both the parent and the child to fall”.
“The suspect then put the vehicle in drive and ran over the child and crashed into a tree.”
After a brief foot chase, police were able to apprehend Dela-Fuente.
Dela-Fuente has since been charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery. He is currently being held at the Fort Worth jail on bonds totaling $600,000.
The young boy was rushed to the emergency room, where he died from his injuries. His mother is still recovering in the hospital after reportedly suffering skull fractures, road rash, and bleeding in her brain.
“We just want prayers for our daughter and Zayden’s dad,” Vickie Bingham, Zayden’s grandmother, said. “They saw a lot, and they need prayers. They need healing.”
Zayden’s family created GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses and medical bills. As of Monday night, the campaign had raised $15,585 of the $50,000 goal.
“Anyone who knew Zayden knew how much he was loved by his mother, Bailey Bingham, and father, Shea McLean,” the GoFundMe’s description states. “He was a child of love and spirit. Everyone who knew him loved him, and that love will continue to carry.”
“It almost seems like Zayden was born, like he knew he didn’t have much time looking back. It’s almost like he was born knowing that he wasn’t going to have a long life,” Vickie continued. “There’s a song, ‘Live Like You’re Dying.’ And that’s what he did. [Zayden] loved laughing. He played.”
“[Zayden] was just an angel on Earth, and now he’s an angel in heaven,” she added.
Mclean would have turned 2 next month.
