Young Son Barely Got Out Of 2007 Blaze Alive, Only Child To Surive; Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars Donated Disappear

A father lost his girlfriend and two of their children in a fire, escaping the flames with his youngest son.

Now, the 32-year-old is charged with stealing money out of a charitable fund set up for his surviving child.

He allegedly spent the money on an escort service.

Inside a courtroom in Somerset County Tubal Eduardo has been on trial for stealing the money strangers donated to his son, Noah, who survived the devastating fire that killed his mother, brother and sister three years ago.

Sources told CBS 2 HD more than $7,000 of that money went to an escort service.

Mary Ellen Zangara helped raise more than $38,000 for Eduardo's son. At the time she was the president of the parent-teacher association at the Weston School, where one of the children who died attended.

Little Noah was rescued by his father.

"It was just shocking to find out Tubal had taken the money and spent it all over by himself," Zangara said. "I feel sorry for Noah and everyone involved that the funds were misused. You know they were intended for Noah to have a future."

No one answered the door at the address listed for Eduardo in court papers. On his Facebook page he says he's in a relationship with a woman who has posted their picture online.

Noah now lives with his maternal aunt. She spoke to CBS 2 HD briefly.

"I'm sorry, I have no comment ... I have nothing to say. If everybody could just respect our privacy …," Nicole Latch said.

According to court papers, Noah had $114.27 left in his account. The public defender representing Eduardo said the situation is complicated. There were two different accounts and Eduardo didn't know he wasn't supposed to use the money for his own personal benefit.

"I have never met Tubal. I had never physically seen him. Wednesday was the first day I saw him in court when I testified," Zangara said.

Eduardo's trial will resume on Tuesday when witnesses will testify on his behalf. If he's found guilty, he could spend five years behind bars.

Zangara said she gave the money she raised to Eduardo's brother and never received any acknowledgement or thanks from Eduardo himself.

David Mikael Taclino
Inyu Web Development and Design
Creative Writer

Posted in: Only Child To Surive; Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars Donated Disappear,Young Son Barely Got Out Of 2007 Blaze Alive