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After Autistic 10YO Was Slapped By Mercedes Driver In Viral Video, Homeless Family Gets New Car
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After Autistic 10YO Was Slapped By Mercedes Driver In Viral Video, Homeless Family Gets New Car

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The family of a California autistic boy received a pleasant surprise on Monday when they were gifted a new vehicle by a local car dealership.

Earlier in the summer, 10-year-old Alfredo Morales was attacked by a man after the boy reportedly damaged the hood of his $146,000 sedan.

The incident was caught on video, and as the clip made its rounds online, communities rallied behind Alfredo and his family to show support.

Highlights
  • California family gets a new car after an attack on their autistic son goes viral.
  • Dealer gifted a 2023 Ford Explorer to the Morales family, replacing their old truck.
  • Community support helps Morales family work toward permanent housing and reopening restaurants.
RELATED:

    The family of an autistic 10-year-old has been gifted a new vehicle following disturbing footage of an attack going viral

    Image credits: KTLA 5

    Earlier in June, viral footage showed Alfredo sitting on a bus bench with his older sister who can be heard saying, “Sorry, [my brother] is autistic. He has special needs,” to Scott Sakajian of Sun Valley.

    This, however, did not deter the man as he proceeded to slap Alfredo before pointing an accusing finger at him. 

    Shortly after, a family friend created a GoFundMe page, writing, “They are currently homeless and any help will hopefully help them get into some housing,” since they had been living out of a truck for a period of time.

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    Image credits: KCAL News

    The initial goal was to raise $10K USD, but communities surpassed this number with a shocking $97,860 USD total. 

    Scott has since been charged with willful cruelty toward a child and battery on a person.

    The family had no intentions of trading their old, damaged car for a new one

    When the family brought their 2010 Ford F-150 to Airport Marina Ford for repairs, the team noticed it was almost beyond saving, as the vehicle needed a new transmission, a new engine, and a completely new interior.

    “Dan got the Ford to come into the dealership,” said Jamie Bishton, the president of NOARUS Auto Group. “We saw it on the flatbed and we were like, ‘uh oh, this needs more than just a repair.’” 

    So, their solution was to give the Morales family a brand new 2023 Ford Explorer.

    Image credits: KCAL News

    Dan Theoroux, the general manager at Airport Marina Ford stated, “If there’s a child involved in a situation like that, and the condition of living in the other vehicle, and trying to survive out of that, and then that vehicle being as bad as it was, it was just the right thing to do.”

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    The vehicle also came with a Gold Certified warranty, which meant the truck could be taken to any Ford dealer for repairs if the family ever faced troubles.

    The community’s support has opened new and unimaginable doors for the Morales family

    Image credits: KCAL News

    Alfredo is now attending a new school that specializes in helping children with autism, thanks to the plentiful donations and assistance they’ve received.

    They are additionally working on finding permanent housing, with hopes of reopening the restaurants they permanently closed in August 2023.

    Image credits: GoFundMe

    “Amazing. I don’t have words to say,” said Alfredo’s father, Miguel Morales. “It’s crazy. I don’t have to say nothing. I don’t have words, just say thanks. You know, thank God.”

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    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

    Read less »
    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

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    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently Alfredo flipped the Mercedes' hood ornament (which is made to bend if necessary), but the car's owner got out of the car and slapped Alfredo, who didn't really know he did something wrong. The new sources also say that Alfredo's sister was almost hit by the driver as he pulled over to stop. Alfredo and his sister are just kids. The man has a right to be upset, but hitting Alfredo was assault. Pure and simple.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many cars does the guy have? You said the boy touched his hood ornament, and he pulled over to slap the boy. In what? If the Mercedes was parked, how (and why?) did the man drive up and almost hit the girl? (I’m sorry if I’m being dense, but that’s what you seem to be saying.)

    Load More Replies...
    LB
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow people let's keep it civil in the comments? I'm glad this family is getting some help.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, Sr. Morales. God didn’t give you the truck; Dan Theoroux did. Thank HIM. Really happy for you and your family, though!

    Load More Comments
    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently Alfredo flipped the Mercedes' hood ornament (which is made to bend if necessary), but the car's owner got out of the car and slapped Alfredo, who didn't really know he did something wrong. The new sources also say that Alfredo's sister was almost hit by the driver as he pulled over to stop. Alfredo and his sister are just kids. The man has a right to be upset, but hitting Alfredo was assault. Pure and simple.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many cars does the guy have? You said the boy touched his hood ornament, and he pulled over to slap the boy. In what? If the Mercedes was parked, how (and why?) did the man drive up and almost hit the girl? (I’m sorry if I’m being dense, but that’s what you seem to be saying.)

    Load More Replies...
    LB
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow people let's keep it civil in the comments? I'm glad this family is getting some help.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, Sr. Morales. God didn’t give you the truck; Dan Theoroux did. Thank HIM. Really happy for you and your family, though!

    Load More Comments
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