11-Month-Old Baby Tragically Loses His Life the Day after Taking His First Steps

A Brooklyn family's joy over their infant's first steps quickly gave way to sorrow when a tragic incident unfolded the very next day. Their Midwood apartment, once filled with the excitement of a milestone, became a scene of heartbreak as a malfunction took a devastating turn.

In the sad early hours of Friday, January 19, 2024, tragedy befell a Brooklyn family when their 11-month-old boy lost his life due to scalding steam from a burst radiator pipe in their Midwood apartment on E. 14th Street at Avenue I. The heartbreaking incident unfolded just after 6 a.m., with the mother's anguished screams piercing through the walls, awakening neighbors to the unspeakable horror.

Law enforcement sources disclosed that at the time of the incident, the baby's parents and siblings, including month-old twins, were inside the apartment. The child's mother, occupied with feeding the twins in another room, was unaware of the imminent catastrophe. The burst of scalding steam erupted while the baby was peacefully asleep in his crib, resulting in severe burns.

Kamila Vel, a neighbor residing on the same floor, recounted the mother's frantic 911 calls and the father's desperate attempt to save his child. As an ambulance arrived, the father grabbed his son and rushed outside, hoping for swift medical intervention. Michael Roberto, another neighbor, reflected on the infant and his siblings as happy children, often seen swaddled up and smiling in their carriage.

First responders promptly took charge, rushing the baby to Maimonides Medical Center. Despite their immediate efforts, the infant, identified as Binyomin Zachariah Kuravsky or Benjamin, could not be saved.

Just a day after the heart-wrenching incident, the boy's aunt, Natalie Akselrod, made a poignant statement from her Fair Lawn, N.J., home. "We have footage of him taking his first steps before the horrible tragedy happened," said Natalie, 47.

In a heartfelt plea, Alexander, still grappling with the profound loss of his son, urged parents everywhere to cherish every moment with their children.

The grieving father, Alexander Kuravsky, is now fervently calling for urgent reforms and accountability to prevent future tragedies akin to the loss of his little son. Less than a week after the heart-wrenching incident, Alexander emphasizes the imperative need for meticulous, consistent, and transparent building inspections—whether old or new.

Expressing uncertainty about pinpointing accountability, he underscores the significance of safeguarding the millions of people living with steam radiators, particularly those with children and babies in their homes.

Binyomin, whose Hebrew name translates to Benjamin in English, was a happy-go-lucky, energetic boy with an incredible sense of humor who brought immense joy and parenting ease.

Alexander asserted that his son was not an ordinary baby. "For some reason, God wanted him earlier, and if God wanted him earlier, I do not believe that he was a regular child – a regular baby," expressed the devastated father.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Alexander, along with his wife Bessie and their one-month-old twin daughters, Ruchami and Hadassah, has made the poignant decision never to return to their East 14th Street apartment in Midwood.

A GoFundMe account has been created to support Benjamin's parents and twin sisters during their challenging time. The funds raised "will go to support relocation, childcare, and counseling costs as the parents mourn the loss of their beloved son."

The fundraiser, which has raised over $67,000 of $150,000 as of January 30, described Benjamin as a "beacon of light, who loved music, dancing, trying new foods, and smiling at everyone he met."

As the Kuravskys navigate through the overwhelming process of grieving, they find solace by seeking refuge alternately at Alexander's sister's residence in Fair Lawn, N.J., and Bessie's mother's apartment in Manhattan, according to the devastated father.

In response to the heartbreaking incident, City Councilwoman Farah Louis, representing Midwood, revealed plans to sponsor legislation aimed at compelling the city to establish a comprehensive policy concerning the maintenance and inspection of radiators.

Currently, the responsibility for radiator maintenance falls on landlords, as per the Department of Buildings (DOB). Farah acknowledged that this specific incident prompted a crucial conversation about reinforcing regulations and safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In a heartfelt plea, Alexander, still grappling with the profound loss of his son, urged parents everywhere to cherish every moment with their children. He emphasized the significance of not letting precious moments slip away, even if children are peacefully sleeping.

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