A local car dealership gifted a new vehicle to the family of an autistic California boy slapped by a man for allegedly damaging his Mercedes.
Alfredo Morales, 10, was attacked by an adult man for damaging the hood ornament of his $146,000 S-Class sedan in July.
Scott Sakajian, of Sun Valley, was charged with willful cruelty to a child and assault on a person.
Alfredo’s family is homeless and lives in a truck, and a family friend created a GoFundMe campaign for them after the attack that has raised almost $100,000.
On Monday, the Airport Marina Ford dealership gifted the Morales family a new 2023 Ford Explorer after they brought their 2010 Ford F-150 in for repairs.
Alfredo Morales, 10, was attacked by an adult man for damaging the hood ornament of his $146,000 S-Class sedan in July
Scott Sakajian, of Sun Valley, was charged with willful cruelty to a child and assault on a person.
‘If there’s a child involved in a situation like that, and the condition of living in the other vehicle, and trying to survive out of that, and then that vehicle being as bad as it was, it was the right thing to do,’ said Dan Theroux, general director of Marina Ford airport. KABC.
The dealer said the truck needed a new transmission and engine and required the interior to be removed.
‘Dan got the Ford into the dealership. We saw it on the deck and thought, ‘Uh-oh, this needs more than just a repair,'” NOARUS Auto Group President Jamie Bishton said.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a new 2023 Ford Explorer is $36,760, according to Airport Marina Ford.
Since the slapping incident, the family told the local news station that Alfredo now attends a new school for children with autism.
They are working to find permanent housing and want to reopen their restaurant that closed in August 2023.
‘Amazing. I have no words to say,’ said the boy’s father, Miguel Morales. ‘It’s crazy. I don’t have to say anything. I have no words, just say thank you. You know, thank God.
The Morales family is homeless and lives in a van, and a local car dealership surprised them with a new SUV.
A family friend created a GoFundMe campaign for them after the attack that has raised almost $100,000.
In the original clip, captured on a cell phone, Alfredo’s 10-year-old Spanish-speaking sister told the sunglasses-wearing driver, “I’m sorry, (my brother) is autistic.” He has special needs.’
Sakajian, not being swayed, proceeded to advance towards the brothers, while the woman is seen trying to calm the boy and plead her case at the same time.
Within seconds, the man stood over the two of them and quickly raised his hand to hit him. He struck the boy’s face with his open palm, before sternly pointing his finger at the cowering youth.
Then he walked away and returned to his car, his chest puffed out and his hands at his sides. He grabbed the nearly dismembered ornament before heading back to the driver’s side door of the S-Class in apparent disgust, after which more onlookers shouted for someone to intervene.
Repairing the damage would cost about $500. The car itself costs just over $146,000 and was purchased a little more than a year ago from a dealership in Southern California, a vehicle history report showed.