Paralyzed Boy’s Fund Loses $13,000

A former rescue squad member was charged Friday with stealing about $13,000 from a fund he set up for a paralyzed 7-year-old who became his godson.

Richard J. Solkin, 23, was charged with two counts of theft, prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz said. He’s also accused of stealing from the Northfield Volunteer Rescue Squad’s support fund.

Solkin established the fund for Devon Fuentes, who was struck by a car in 1993 and paralyzed from the neck down. The family was so touched, they made him the boy’s godfather last year.

Devon doesn’t know yet. His family wants him focusing on his rehabilitation, said Fuentes, an unemployed construction worker.

Trump Taj Mahal and WBSS-FM had sponsored a benefit for the boy, and people from throughout New Jersey sent donations.

More than $26,000 in donated checks had been deposited in a bank account for the fund, but the family only received $13,389, Blitz said.