Bridgeport Police Have Not Found Evidence Boy Was Deliberately Burned

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Though the investigation remains ongoing, Bridgeport police and fire officials said on Friday that "there is nothing on the video" they have reviewed of the burning of 6-year-old Dominick Krankall to indicate it was done "deliberately."

Dominick suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face and body in the April incident, and his parents claim a neighborhood boy threw a gasoline-soaked tennis ball at him that had been lit on fire. Dominick's parents have claimed their son has been bullied by the neighbors' children for years.

Parents of the 8-year-old neighbor, who Dominick's parents accused, deny their son did it.

In a joint news release, officials said they have yet to see anything indicating the injuring of Dominick unfolded on purpose.

"At this juncture in the investigation, Bridgeport Police and Fire have reviewed known video portraying portions of the actual incident," officials wrote. "The video footage recorded four children (ages six, seven, eight, and eleven) playing together in the rear yard of the residence. At least three of the children (ages six, seven and eight) were observed playing with fire and gasoline. There is nothing on the video portraying any of the children deliberately injuring the other."

Related:

• Child Burned After On-Fire Ball Was Thrown At Him, Mom Claims
• Bridgeport Child Burned; 'Exact Cause' Under Investigation: Reports

Authorities added that there are "additional interviews to be conducted" in the investigation, but did not elaborate on who they still needed to speak to, and said that investigators will not be taking questions about the incident at this time.

When the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. on April 24, police and firefighters responded to the Krankall home. Evidence was collected by Bridgeport police detectives and members of the fire department’s Marshal Division, and an Accelerant K-9 from the Connecticut Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit also assisted investigators.

"Evidence was sent to the State of CT Forensic Lab and lab results have been received by the city," officials wrote.

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact Bridgeport Police Det. Kateema Riettie at 203-581-5253, or leave a message on the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS (8477).

A GoFundMe page has been established to aid in Dominick's recovery, and as of Friday, it had generated more than $595,000.

"The six-year-old child has been treated at an area hospital and released," officials wrote. "The entire first responder community are praying for his on-going recovery and our continued thoughts and prayers are with all involved at this time."