The casket of 7-year-old Nathan Dumas is loaded into a hearse following the funeral service in Thorold, Ont., Friday, March 24, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett
Republished March 24, 2017 - 12:50 PM
Original Publication Date March 24, 2017 - 1:00 AM
THOROLD, Ont. - Family and friends gathered Friday for the funeral of a seven-year-old boy who died last week in St. Catharines, Ont., leading to a murder charge against his stepfather.
Nathan Dumas was rushed to hospital on Friday but died the next day.
Police launched a manhunt for his stepfather, 43-year-old Justin Kuijer.
He was arrested on Tuesday in Kenora, Ont., and appeared in court Thursday to face a first-degree murder charge in Nathan's death. Kuijer is to appear in court again on April 19.
A visitation was held for Nathan on Thursday and his funeral was held following a second visitation in Thorold, Ont., on Friday afternoon.
Earlier this week, a makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed animals was erected outside a St. Catharines sandwich shop owned by Nathan's grandparents.
Kuijer is also charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack on a female employee at a St. Catharines branch of the Royal Bank.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2017