Friends Fundraising For Family Of Dad Who Forgot Twins In Hot Car

NEW CITY, NY — Family and friends have started fundraising to support the family of Luna and Phoenix Rodriguez, 1-year-old twins who died Friday when their father left them forgotten in the car while he went to work.

"Beyond being completely devastated and heart-broken, the road ahead is a difficult one, between funeral arrangements, the media frenzy preventing them from returning home, home and legal expenses, and lost wages," the organizers said on their GoFundMe page.

Juan Rodriguez, 39, of New City, faces charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Police said Rodriguez told them he had forgotten the babies were there after he dropped an older child off at a Westchester home.

His family and friends have rallied behind the family, greeting Rodriguez when he was released on bail. His wife, Marissa, released a statement saying she loves her husband and knows "he will never forgive himself for this mistake."

A clinical social worker and a disabled veteran, Rodriguez works at the VA Medical Center in the Bronx.

"He has dedicated his life to public service, positively affecting thousands of lives. Juan is an honest and hard-working man. A man who now has to deal with the same type of traumatic loss that he has helped others cope with in the past," the GoFundMe page says. "The family seeks to mourn together and be reunited, while they begin to tackle the impossible task of going on with their lives. We are asking for community support, in the same manner that Juan and Marissa have supported this community, while they cope with this tragedy."

So far the campaign has raised $58,324 of its $100,000 goal. Click to contribute.

ALSO SEE:

• Hudson Valley Man Charged In Death Of Twins Left In Car
• Automakers Under Pressure To Curb Hot Car Deaths

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