A Mother in Little Rock Grieves After Her 5-Year-Old Son Is Killed When a Tree Falls on Their Home During a Devastating Storm

What started as a typical spring storm turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a family in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The severe weather that rolled through the state on April 5 left behind more than just downed power lines and scattered debris—it claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy named Mario, leaving a mother and her three other children grappling with unimaginable loss.

A Sudden, Heartbreaking Accident

According to the Little Rock Police Department, officers were called out to a home on the 8500 block of Mablevale Pike around 11:00 a.m. for a medical emergency.

Upon arrival, they discovered young Mario had been severely injured when a tree—uprooted by strong straight-line winds—crashed down on their home. Sadly, the injuries proved fatal.

Officials reported that the storm’s impact stretched beyond this one tragedy.

In nearby Miller County, two other individuals were also injured, bringing the total number of storm-related injuries across the state to twelve.

A Mother’s Loss, A Community’s Support

In the aftermath of the storm, Mario’s mother, Cassandra Pacheco, is facing not only the grief of losing her son but also the complete destruction of her home.

With three other children to care for and everything they owned gone, the family is in dire need of help.

To support Cassandra during this unimaginable time, a GoFundMe campaign was launched by her cousin Areana. The fundraiser shares a heartfelt message:

“Hi, my name is Areana and I’m creating this GoFundMe for my cousin Cassandra who lost her son April 5th during the storms.

This morning, a tree fell and destroyed their home, taking the life of her beautiful baby boy.

We’re asking for donations to help with burial costs and to help Cassandra and her three other sons rebuild.

They’ve lost everything, so anything you can give will mean the world. Thank you all so much.”

Over $14,000 Raised—And Still Climbing

As of now, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $14,000, a testament to the compassion and generosity of the community and strangers alike.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, is helping Cassandra begin to piece her life back together after such a devastating loss.