Thousands raised for baby abused so badly he had his legs amputated
A campaign to raise money for the baby abused so badly that he had to have his legs amputated has raised more than $8,000 in just two days.
A Just Giving page was started by the Kent Messenger, a local newspaper, for British toddler Tony Smith in a bid to give him the best possible life with his adoptive parents.
The baby’s biological parents Tony Smith Snr. and Jody Simpson were jailed for 10 years earlier this week after being convicted of child cruelty.
Baby Tony was just 41 days old when he was taken to a doctor with broken bones in his legs and an infection of septicaemia.
Surgeons later had to amputate both legs.
Jurors decided that the parents deliberately harmed the child at their Maidstone flat but it was not revealed that he had lost both legs until the end of the trial.
Some jurors were left in tears on seeing photos of the boy, now aged three.
The jury even broke into spontaneous applause after the judge praised Tony’s adoptive parents as "absolute stars".
"It is utterly remarkable we have in our community those who foster children and those who look after them, particularly when they have disability and show the most wonderful compassionate and caring side of the community," the judge said.
The Kent Messenger took to the Just Giving page on Friday (local time) to reveal their appreciation to all donations, saying they're stunned by the huge support.
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"We are overwhelmed by the amount raised in just two days," they wrote.
"We had no idea how much to set as the target so it has been increased yet again. Thank you everyone who has donated, it means so much."
Dozens of donators left touching tributes to Tony, wishing him well in his new life.
"May God Bless you little man, sending you all my love and best wishes to you and your new parents," one comment read.
"So glad that he is now in a safe, loving environment with people who will cherish him and build him up to be the very best he can," another donator wrote.
Tony's new mother has said she is "humbled" by the money donated so far.
