Controversy over GoFundMe in deadly San Leandro house fire
Tug-of-war over GoFundMe in wake of deadly fire near San Leandro
The family of three victims of a house fire near San Leandro say a friend who set up a GoFundMe isn't turning over the funds.
Tug-of-war over GoFundMe in wake of deadly fire near San Leandro
The family of three victims of a house fire near San Leandro say a friend who set up a GoFundMe isnt turning over the funds.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. - A controversy over a GoFundMe campaign has erupted in the wake of a San Leandro house fire that killed members of three generations of a family.
"My baby, she's waiting there, waiting to get cremated, and this lady's got control of all the money to bury my baby," Heather Morrow said Tuesday, her voice breaking.
Thousands of dollars raised
What we know:
Morrow said a woman she knows is holding a GoFundMe hostage, refusing to turn over nearly $5,000 in donations.
"She says, ‘No, this is my thing, I set it up, and there’s no reason why you should be in my account,'" Morrow said.
The fire early Thursday killed Morrow's niece, Aaliyah Jardon, 6; Morrow's mother, Pam Morrow, 66; and Morrow's grandmother, Shirley Demerse, 90.
Six others, including the Aaliyah's twin sister, escaped the flames.
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Relative says 3 family members killed in San Leandro house fire
Family members say three people are dead from a Thursday morning San Leandro house fire.
The family believes a lithium battery that was charging an e-bike ignited the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Alameda County Fire Department and sheriff's office.
A day after the fire, KTVU spoke with Morrow, her twin sister Nichole and their friend, Antionette Lucchesi, who started a GoFundMe.
Relatives and fund organizer stood side-by-side
What they're saying:
"The GoFundMe is dedicated to the recovery of this family," Lucchesi told KTVU on Friday. "I've seen them grow and become something, you know, I can only wish ever having for my own."
But now, Morrow says Lucchesi seems to be keeping the GoFundMe funds. Late Tuesday, Lucchesi told KTVU, "The GoFundMe people stopped any transfers pending verification on my identity…I haven't touched any funds."
Morrow said, "I just want the money so I can bury my family. I mean, I'm struggling, I have nothing. Red Cross has provided some money, but that's all gone from the hotel rooms."
In a statement to KTVU, GoFundMe said, "Our team is working directly with the fundraiser organizer to help ensure funds safely reach the family. During this process, all funds are being safely held by our payment processors, and will only be released to the intended beneficiary."
Morrow and her sister have someone else in their corner, Lucchesi's sister, Vanessa Lucchesi.
"I'm pro the family and the kids and Aaliyah" she said. "What's wrong is wrong and what's right is right, and it's wrong what she's doing, you know. That's the bottom line."
The tragedy has been especially difficult for the surviving twin Ella Jardon, who's been asking some heart-wrenching questions.
"Am I still a twin, and can I get a new sister, and is she coming back?" Morrow said. "She's coping, but she's having the hardest time."
The family is requesting that donations be sent to a GoFundMe they've authorized.
The community is organizing a vigil to honor the victims. It will take place at Toyon Park at 5 p.m. Thursday March 20.
Henry Lee is a KTVU reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source: Interviews, previous KTVU reporting, along with a statement from GoFundMe.