Dorchester mother: Family is heartbroken over loss of infant son in day care van case

By Brian R. Ballou and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Big Story: Toddler found dead in parked van

(Boston Globe) Toddler found dead in parked van

A Dorchester mother said today that her family was devastated by the loss of her son, the 17-month-old boy who was found inside a day care transport van on Floyd Street in Dorchester at about 3:30 p.m.

A family photo of Virginia Cazir and Gabriel.

“Our family is heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful son, Gabriel. Gabriel was a very happy child and his picture says everything,” Virginia Cazir said in a statement released by Boston police that included pictures of a smiling Gabriel Josh-Cazir Pierre.

A friend of Cazir’s told reporters the death has left the mother heartbroken.

“She is having a hard time right now,’’ said Myrthza Ladouceur. “There are no words for the emotions, the situation, she is dealing with right now.’’

Ladouceur said Gabriel Pierre was “just a wonderful little boy,’’ a bright smile lighting up her face.

A lawyer for the van driver, Luis Matos, who was hospitalized with chest pains after reporting the discovery of the child’s body, said in a statement that Matos “wishes to ... express his deep sorrow and profound apologies to the family of the toddler.”

When he is released from the hospital, Matos plans to “cooperate fully with any and all authorities investigating this matter,” said attorney Timothy J. Bradl.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said Monday the child was left inside the van “a significant amount of time.’’ The child was pronounced dead at the scene, and the state medical examiner’s office is trying to determine the cause of death.

Bradl, the attorney, said in a statement that he also represented Gloria Feliz, the owner of Feliz LLC, who runs a day care center at the site Floyd Street address where Matos’s van was parked.

He said, “Ms. Feliz, who has dedicated her life to caring for children, is devastated by the tragedy and is cooperating fully with all of the authorities investigating this matter.”

Bradl said the operation run by Feliz, who is known as Miss Gloria, “had no involvement whatsoever with the transport or care of the child, and the bus was involved in taking the toddler to another unrelated day care facility.”

He also said Matos is not married to Feliz, contrary to what Davis said on Monday.

City assessing records show the building is owned by Gloria Feliz, and secretary of state corporation records show that Gloria M. Feliz is the manager and registered agent of a company there known as Feliz LLC.

The city Monday night shuttered the day-care business because the building lacked fire extinguishers or carbon monoxide detectors.

City and state agencies are investigating the child’s death. Officials said Monday the boy was 13 months old, but today corrected his age to 17 months old.