On December 19, 2023, Mr. Wentz learned that his children, Ellie (9) and Aden (7), had been found deceased, and his oldest daughter was critically injured after their mother was ordered by the court to return them to his care. Ms. Singler, the children’s mother, initially reported a burglary; however, that claim proved to be unfounded. After initially engaging with police to investigate, she fled to the United Kingdom, where she was arrested shortly after arrival. It was recently found that she meets the requirements for extradition back to the United States to answer to first-degree murder (two counts), child abuse (three counts), and an assault charge.

The Department of Human Services became involved to ensure the safety and well-being of the surviving child, and the court issued a gag order. This was in place until just recently, so Mr. Wentz was unable to update people or ask for additional financial support. However, the gag order was recently lifted, and Mr. Wentz is pleased to provide an update. First, he would like to extend his gratitude to those who supported the initial GoFundMe campaign, which raised $10,288.00 in 2023.

The money received in 2023 was used to pay for Ellie and Aden’s funeral costs beyond the Victim Services funding allowance. After funeral costs were paid, the remaining funding allowed Mr. Wentz to take more time off than the one week of paid bereavement his work provided.

Over the last year and a half, the family has engaged with the Department of Human Services child protection team to provide for his daughter’s safety and to ensure the family had access to significant therapeutic resources at no cost to them. These services have been critical in supporting the family's needs to achieve psychological and emotional healing and a bright future for the surviving child.

Unfortunately, the Department of Human Services abruptly decided to withdraw its resources that were funding these ongoing therapeutic services for the family. This places the burden solely on this single father to provide this care, in addition to meeting their basic needs.

To confound matters further, this abrupt removal of protection meant that custody of his surviving daughter was returned to her mother!

Could you imagine surviving an attack on your life and having custody of your body returned to the person who inflicted such damage on you? This is a significant disruption to a child’s sense of safety and the healing process after the attempt on her life by a person in a position of trust.

Mr. Wentz needed to immediately engage an attorney to file an emergency motion to remove custody from the child’s mother and grant him temporary custody and decision-making privileges.

Mr. Wentz has once again been placed in a position where he needs to reduce his work hours to provide a sense of security for his daughter. As a single father, he continues to be the only one who can provide physical, emotional, and psychological safety for his daughter. As a sole provider, this has placed an incredibly challenging burden on him. How does he manage to work full-time, be present when she feels scared, and be available to participate in and support her treatment needs?

This has meant they have needed to put their home up for sale and move in with family.

Unfortunately, with the extradition appeal process and the lengthy criminal justice proceedings, once Ms. Singler is returned to the United States to face charges, this is just the beginning of a very lengthy and emotional process towards justice for this family.

Because of this, the family has opened a second GoFundMe campaign to help them.

This is the only GoFundMe campaign that is approved by Kevin Wentz.

Our aim is to raise enough funds to protect this child from the impacts of a single father not being able to access the benefits of full-time work and the financial planning necessary for her future.

Mr. Wentz is a dedicated father whose love and desire to provide care for his children and be an active participant in their lives had unspeakable consequences. Yet, one of his children survived. She is an active, bright young lady whose future holds great potential, but it is not guaranteed. We must do all we can as a community to protect it and offer her the best chance possible to bring her talents and gifts to this waiting world.

Your support means the world to this family. Continued support will help this father:

1) have time away from work to support and pay for his daughter’s ongoing therapeutic needs

2) provide for previous and current legal costs that are not covered by the current attorney, who has graciously offered pro bono services

3) pay for health-related expenses for the surviving daughter

Now that we are able, you can expect meaningful updates from the family.

In the meantime, you can read about the latest update and follow Ms. Singler’s extradition hearings by clicking here.

Again, your support of this family is greatly appreciated. Each and every donation gives this young lady an alternative experience of goodness and genuine care in a world that was pulled out from underneath her.

Your donations will contribute to her well-being, success, and ability to care for her physical and mental health needs.