Jun 28, 2008 9:48 am US/Central
Management Company Says Boy Was Swinging On Fence
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Curtis Cooper, 3, was killed on June 27, 2008, when a heavy iron gate collapsed and fell on him as he was riding his tricycle.
CBS
The family and neighbors of 3-year-old Curtis Cooper, who was crushed by an iron gate in Cabrini, are demanding answers this morning.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports that the community is accusing property managers of failing to protect residents by making necessary repairs.
Yesterday, a gate at the Cabrini-Green complex collapsed and fell on Curtis Cooper, killing him.
Witnesses say several children were nearby when it happened.
The company that's managed the property for the last two years says it believes the children were playing on the gate when it fell.
"It is my understanding that there were kids that were playing on and around that gate, swinging it, and it came loose," said Ronald O'Neill, Regional Property Advisors.
Pamela Cooper, the victim's mother who witnessed the accident, flatly denies that her child was playing on the fence when it fell.
"No, he wasn't swinging on the fence, I was watching when it happened," Cooper said. "He was over here. He rode his bike, he got off his bike. And the two little girls were right here. He was talking. They were all just standing here talking, and the two little girls got a chance to get away and he didn't. The gate had fell."
The CHA released a statement apologizing to the family and said they are investigating the case. Friends and loved ones in the meantime have left many symbols of their sorrow at the scene.
When asked how she is getting through the loss of her son, Cooper said, "I guess, just God. And I have to try to make it for my other babies."
Curtis also has a 1-year-old brother. The family said their task this morning has been to tell him why his brother won't be coming home.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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