Vigo Co. Sheriff's Office presents check in memory of starved child

Chief Deputy John Moats, Susie Thompson, Executive Director, Reach Service, Sheriff Greg Ewing/VCSO photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The community has come together to honor the tragic death of a  young child earlier this year by raising funds to help others who might be in a similar ---  and preventable situation.

Officials from the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office  presented Reach Services with a check for more than $3,100 in memory of  Cameron Hoopingarner, 9, of Fontanet -- the victim who had starved to death in February. Efforts to raise money in his memory began just after after four suspects accused of the death were arrested at his rural home.

Cameron Hoopingarner/ VCSO photo

​Executive Director of Reach Services, Susie Thompson, was appreciative of the donation during the presentation today, noting it's fotunate to live in a community that cares. 

Sheriff Greg Ewing agrees.

“We are truly blessed to live in a community that comes together during tragic situations such as this. I was humbled by the generosity of our community and the servants heart of so many”, Sheriff Ewing said.  ​

The money was to be used for funeral expenses for Cameron, but to the sheriff's and others involved in the memorial fund surrpise, they learned  Rose Lawn Funeral Home took care of the entire expense. 

Because Cameron was diagnosed with a cerebral palsy from birth,  a decision was made to give the money  to Reach Services -- formally United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley. Ewing feels it is the right choice, as Reach Services mission is to improve the life and well-being of low to moderate income individuals with special needs and their families through advocacy, outreach, housing and support services.

According to a press release from the Vigo County Sheriff's Office,  a concerned citizen, Amanda Hoole, of Terre Haute, initially created a GoFundMe account to ensure  a proper burial of Cameron.  He noted that after Hoole contacted him, a special memorial fund was established through a local bank  --- resulting in a combination of the fundraisers netting $3,133.97. 

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