While the family of Trusten Heart Liddle grieves for the loss of the 17-month-old, they asked the public to light candles for their little boy who died Saturday after being attacked by a dog. Trusten Liddle’s parents, Raven and Damon
While the family of Trusten Heart Liddle grieves for the loss of the 17-month-old, they asked the public to light candles for their little boy who died Saturday after being attacked by a dog.
Trusten Liddle’s parents, Raven and Damon “Dove” Liddle, who is the host of a gardening show and the “Fresh Jam” show on radio station KKCR, are “in retreat,” said family friend Susan Marshall, a lawyer who has been handing the overwhelming requests from the media the last few days.
“During this time, they are cherishing all their memories of Trusten. They’re dealing with details, all kinds of horrible things,” like planning services and what to do with the boy’s remains, she said, adding that they are still deciding whether to release the details of a memorial service to the public.
“It’s just seems really recent,” Marshall said. “The best they can do is get through each day.”
“Light a candle at sunset as they are doing, or have a good cry, walk on the beach, hug a friend, hold your child. The family asks you to pray for them,” KKCR personality Michael Van de Veer said on the air Tuesday.
“We are grieving the loss,” the family said in a press release. “We request peace and quiet while we mourn the death of our cherished loved one. We need time to begin to cope with this sudden tragedy.
“We appreciate your prayers,” they added.
The 40-pound dog that attacked the toddler, and four other canines that were on the Liddle’s neighbor’s property in Moloa‘a, are still being confined at the Kauai Humane Society.
The mixed-breed was on a long chain, and took the boy from the Liddle’s property, and the two ended up on the neighbor’s property, said Marshall.
“The boy was on the Liddle’s property,” she said. “The Liddle family was present.”
She added that the family has not even considered a lawsuit against the neighbor, and have not retained an attorney.
Officials with the Kaua‘i Police Department, state Child Protection, and Kaua‘i Humane Society continue to investigate the incident.
No charges have been filed against the un-named owner of the dogs.
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
