A central Texas community is rallying around the family of a 6-year-old boy fighting for his life weeks after a home invasion.
Jeremy Diaz, the boy who was attacked during a home invasion on September 11th, opened his eyes Thursday. Sunday night, he did it again, his father, Arturo Diaz, told USA TODAY Monday night.
“After the first week, they told us Jeremy was going to die,” his father said. “But he survived it. He conquered death. They said he would be stuck on one side… He moved his limbs and his eyes a few days ago. It was opened.”
When Diaz opened his eyes, he played some of his favorite songs to Jeremy, then the boy went back to sleep.
Diaz had previously posted a series of updates on her son’s health, announcing on Friday that he had to be reintubated. His lungs were fine, but the swelling in his throat made it impossible for him to breathe on his own.
“Overall, given the situation we were in, funeral planning has now become planning for rehabilitation,” the father said Monday.
Williamson County officials said a person named Daniel Logan was arrested in connection with the incident. He was charged with gross aggravated assault and one count of intentionally causing serious physical injury or severe mental defect, disability, or injury to a child, a felony.
Logan’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Before the attack, the boy was participating in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai with Team Labadi.The group hosted a barbecue chicken lunch to raise money for the boy. Sunday.
“He is making great progress towards recovery,” the group wrote online. “The road is long and sadly very expensive. Please join us and help keep the fight funded!”
According to Jeremy’s father, an intruder entered his home around 5 a.m. on September 11th. The man reportedly had a baseball bat. The man allegedly used a baseball bat to break down the back door of his home.
“Actually, it was one of our neighbors,” Diaz told USA TODAY Monday night. “We’ve lived here since 2014, so we’ve seen people come and go. One day he just snapped…he came in and I disarmed him. Before that, he had already hurt my son.”
Diaz wrote He posted a heartfelt message about his son on Facebook. The family wants him to receive the best care possible and is asking for help in the following ways: gofundmeHe shared.
![Jeremy Tan Diaz, a 6-year-old boy who was attacked during a home invasion on September 11, 2023.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/02/USAT/71037482007-384530052-850155559947203-7405820060363629183-n.jpg?width=300&height=525&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
‘I’m drowning’:Police say young black man screamed for help after being nearly killed by white boy
Family says their 6-year-old son is kind and a giver, not a taker.
Before the attack, Jeremy had just completed his gray belt in jiu-jitsu, his father said. He was proud of his accomplishments.
Since the incident, his family has heard more and more stories about how their 6-year-old son makes everyone around him happy.
According to the teacher, the boy recently had new classmates who mainly speak Russian. Jeremy is fluent in Chinese and was very patient in teaching his classmates.
According to his father, when another child at the YMCA asked for his toy, he gave it to him.
“He told Jeremy he wanted his own Transformers,” Diaz said. “I came to pick up Jeremy…and when I rolled down the window, he said, ‘Dad, I don’t know if I can give him the Transformers.'”
His father told him that it was completely up to him. Either let go of the toy or leave it alone. His father said Jeremy opened his bag, pulled out a toy and went to give it to the other boy.
“Tell your mother I found it,” he said to the boy.
![Jeremy Tan Diaz, 6 years old. He was attacked during a home invasion on September 11, 2023.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/02/USAT/71038354007-picture-2.jpg?width=300&height=397&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jeremy is a giving person, his father said, and his 3-year-old brother respects his every move.
“It’s interesting,” Diaz said. “Sometimes you go to work or you drop your kids off at school…and then you remember that story and then you realize how well-behaved they are, which is kind of hard to believe.” ..that’s who they are.” That hurts the most. ”
Diaz recalled her son’s last words the night before the home invasion. The 6-year-old son walked up to his father’s desk, read his book and said he was ready for bed. His father took him to bed and he read a story to his father.
“Daddy,” he said after hugging and kissing his father, “I love you.”
![Jeremy Tan Diaz, a 6-year-old boy who was attacked during a home invasion in September 2023.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/02/USAT/71038355007-picture-14.jpg?width=300&height=451&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
People from Jeremy’s Jiu-Jitsu Academy say he is a great leader.
“Jeremy embodies the virtues that a martial artist and great leader should embody,” the academy wrote. A few days later He added that he is very skilled at tying black belts and is always willing to teach those who need help.
“Jeremy embodies the essence of our team. In light of these difficult times, we want to provide ways for you to extend your support.”
To support Jeremy and his family, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/JeremyDGFM.
Los Angeles:Police arrest suspect weeks after assault of 13-year-old boy at McDonald’s in Los Angeles