Funeral Home Offers Free Services For East Haven Children Found Dead

In times of unspeakable tragedy that is when communities often unite, and on Friday night about 100 East Haven residents gathered on the Green to mourn the loss of Daaron, 7, and Aleisha, 6, Moore.

Both youths died inside their 541 Strong Street house Tuesday in East Haven possibly due to a natural gas leak. Police have called their deaths “suspicious” but no charges have been filed as of yet.

As neighbors, family, and officials gathered on the Green Friday night to mourn the children’s deaths, a Wallingford-based funeral home, B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, stepped up and generously agreed to fund the children’s funeral expenses, Fox CT reports..

A Give Forward campaign had been set up to help pay for the children’s funeral expenses. The children’s father, Michael Moore, of Bridgeport, who attended the vigil, called the funeral home’s offer a “blessing.”

The vigil was organized by neighbor, Lisa Criscoulo, and featured numerous candles and prayers.

“We cannot believe this actually happened. We’re still in shock. I don’t think we’ll ever fully recover from this,” said Criscuolo, according to Fox CT.

Moore was emotional as he attended the vigil.

“I want to thank God for all the support and love they’re showing us,” Moore said, according to the New Haven Register. “It’s overwhelming. It’s restoring my faith in humanity.”

East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. attended and said East Haven is a “loving” and “caring community.”

What Police Said About the Tragedy

Up until now, police will only say they are conducting a “suspicious death investigation” after the two children were found dead inside their house. Their mother, LeRoya Moore, 36, was also found inside the house injured, and she was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police believe a gas leak may be responsible for the children’s deaths. Police have said they think the gas could have been turned on, on purpose. It’s likely the children were in the house for more than 24 hours, officials said.

LeRoya Moore was reportedly suicidal before the tragedy and told a friend she had cut herself before police arrived Tuesday afternoon, according to the details of a 911 call placed by her friend. LeRoya Moore also has a criminal past and a previous conviction for risk of injury to a minor.

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• UPDATE: Father of East Haven Deceased Children Speaks About the Tragedy

Emergency responders were called to the house at 2:41 p.m. Tuesday after the mother’s friend called police.

Upon arriving at the address, officers located a despondent 36 year-old female resident with apparent injuries, Police Lt. David Emerman has said.

“Upon further investigation, responding officers entered the residence and found an active gas leak within,” Emerman said. “While checking the residence for more occupants, officers located a deceased (6) year-old and 7 year-old. No other occupants of the residence were located.”

Responding officers exited the residence until fire personnel and the gas company could make the residence safe, police said.

Due to the exposure from the gas, three responding police officers were treated on scene by the East Haven Fire Department and later transported by AMR Ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital, police said.

Additionally, LeRoya Moore was also transported via ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

This investigation is being conducted by the East Haven Police Department Detective Division with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the East Haven Police Detective Division at 203-468-3827.