“There was always this struggle. We never had anyone on our side,’ says the grandfather of the boy killed in Japeri

Caleb Jefferson, 1 year and 8 months old, died after an embankment collapsed on the house where he was staying during a storm

A strong storm in the town of Japeri, in Rio de Janeiro’s Baixada Fluminense, killed two people. The young woman Ana Caroline Sodré24 years old, and Caleb Jefferson Veloso Costa, 1 year and 8 months. Both died after an embankment collapsed on the houses where they were staying.

In an emotional report to João Vitor Costa, reporter from The globeJosé Carlos Amorim de Oliveira, who considers himself the boy’s grandfather, recalled the night of terror experienced by the family.

“[Na noite de quarta-feira], In my house, which is in the same neighborhood, I had water that came up to my waist, and when it rains it turns into the sea. I took my family and went to the house of one of my sons, Willaymison, for shelter, because he is on a higher street (Rua do Mocambo). My other son, Marlon, did the same with his wife Cristiane, who took her twin children, Caleb and Jade, ages 1 year and 8 months, to shelter them from the storm as well. I was going with my family when I saw everything happen and the house collapsed,” he said.

According to him, if he had had more time, he would have gone in too. “And there would have been 10 other people underneath, suffocating, going through the difficulties that the boy went through,” he recalls.

He says he ran through the rubble to help as best he could, trying to remove the mud with his nails. “Those who came from work, by train, got out, clothes and all, in the mud to help us.”

The rescue efforts began at 10pm and stopped around midnight, but when they reached the child, he was already “soft, yellow and turning purple”. The grandfather says what made the boy’s situation worse was the fact that he inhaled about half a canister of gas.

“This breaks my heart. I no longer have the little boy who says ‘grandfather, let’s have a coffee?’. He is not my biological nephew, but my son has taken care of him since he was little. So he is my heartfelt nephew. I keep thinking about his little sister, who is already doing well. He just had a sprained foot, which is swollen,” complained José Carlos.

He also remembers that, when the Civil Protection arrived, he helped by digging with his hands. “What’s the point? There’s no structure, not even to coordinate someone’s removal. It’s a neighborhood under construction and there wasn’t a car that could help us? There was always this struggle. We have never had anyone on our side and soon, when the elections come, many of them (politicians) will start appearing,” he said.

“If a assembled Civil Defense arrives, or Samu, who arrived in the morning, Calebe was alive. I wanted to hit the ambulance. This attitude wouldn’t bring your loved one back, but it does. Cause a riot,” he says.

According to him, the problem is old and there is nothing left: “Here every rain floods and I have nothing left. Everything I have at home, I make with brick. It’s a wardrobe, a sofa, a bed, all made of bricks, because I can’t afford anything anymore.”

Calebe’s mother, Cristiane Talita da Costa Varela, is taking medication to try to deal with the grief of her son’s death.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.