Angelica was in Guyana on vacation when the fire happened. She left home expecting to return to her son, Caleb, their three beloved pets, Jahraiah, Karama, and Tegan, and the home and life they shared. 

 Instead, she returned to unimaginable loss. Caleb, their pets, their home, and nearly everything she owned were gone.

Caleb’s family created this fundraiser to help cover his funeral and cremation expenses and help Angelica begin rebuilding after losing her home and nearly everything she owned.

Funds raised will help with Caleb’s funeral and memorial expenses, temporary housing, clothing, basic necessities, relocation expenses, replacing essential belongings, and giving Angelica some financial stability while she grieves.

Our goal is simple: to give Angelica room to mourn her son without also having to figure out how to rebuild her entire life at the same time.

But before we tell you more about what was lost, we want you to know who Caleb was:

Caleb had just turned 18. His birthday was August 7. He had graduated high school early with honors and was preparing to start college. He had recently earned his driver’s license and was excited to buy his first car, work on it with his own hands, and slowly turn it into the dream car he had imagined.

So much of his life was just beginning. Florida was supposed to be his next chapter. Moving to Japan was the dream after that. Caleb loved Japan and often talked about wanting to move there one day. It was one of his biggest life goals. He had plans.

Caleb was a vibeeeee.

He was goofy, always cracking jokes, and had a way of making people laugh just by being himself. He loved anime, especially One Piece. He loved video games, cars, dressing well, and spending time with the people he loved.

More than anything, Caleb had a genuine heart. He was kind, innocent, funny, and easy to love.

His bike was another part of the independence he was just beginning to experience. Caleb said riding it made him feel free. It gave him the chance to explore more of New York, get around on his own, and experience more of the city without having to depend on anyone else.

On the evening of August 28, just three weeks after his birthday, the lithium-ion battery in that bike exploded and caused a devastating fire.

Caleb died that night at just 18 years old.

Caleb and Angelica were extremely close. They shared their home with Jahraiah, their tiny Yorkie with a huge personality, and their cats, Karama and Tegan.

Karama was shy and trusted Caleb more than anyone else. Tegan was affectionate in his own way and happily lived in his own little world.

They were part of the family.

Caleb was deeply loved by his mother, father, siblings, niece, extended family, friends, and everyone whose life was made a little brighter by knowing him.

If you are able to give, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If donating is not possible, sharing Caleb’s story means just as much to our family. More than anything, we want people to remember Caleb for the life he lived, not only for the way we lost him.

We also hope Caleb’s story can help protect someone else. Lithium-ion battery fires can happen quickly and become devastating, and many people do not realize the risk until it is too late.

Please share Caleb’s story and help spread awareness about lithium-ion battery safety. If his story helps even one person recognize the danger sooner or take extra precautions, it could save a life.

Caleb’s life was far too short, but it was full of laughter, love, dreams, and people who will carry him with them forever.

Thank you for helping us honor Caleb, support Angelica, and help prevent another family from experiencing a loss like this.