8-Year-Old Accidentally Hangs Himself; Devastated Family Testifies He Is Now In Heaven
A family in Stockton, California is mourning the loss of an 8-year-old boy who they remember as "very sensitive, very caring." Julianni Plascencia served as an usher in his church and had recently joined his school's football team when he accidentally hanged himself while playing.
"Replayed the scene, thinking it was a game, didn't understand the severity of it. To be startled and go unconscious and not really know what to do next," Julianni's father, Ronnie, told News10 of what he believes happened to his son.
Julianni reportedly told his older brother that he was going to hang himself but the brother thought it was only a joke. Minutes later, realizing that he hadn't heard any noise from Julianni, the brother went to the room where he had been playing. He was horrified to discover Julianni unconscious with a scarf wrapped around his neck and tied to a doorknob. He immediately called for help, and paramedics were able to briefly revive Julianni.
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Ronnie was able to hold his son as he died.
"I rubbed his head, kissed him, held his hand … And to be there for him at the, you know it was time for him to go to heaven," Ronnie said.
"I feel a lot of pain, a lot of confusion, a lot of sorry for not being available for him," Julianni's mother, Shfawn said. "Let him be happy in heaven because I know that's where he went. His heart was too big for this world."
According to the family, Julianni had a big heart and cared about those around him, including the homeless. He always encouraged his parents to give money to those he saw on the street and enjoyed donating his money to the church he loved going to.
Now the family is asking for help paying for the funeral expenses. They have established a page on GiveForward and have raised over half the money needed. The North Stockton Bengals football league, of which Julianni was a member, is holding a benefit dinner in their honor. The community is clearly rallying around this young boy who left his mark.
