Melanie Chianese and son Myles Nicholas Franolich.Photo: GoFundMe
When 3-year-old Myles Franolich was diagnosed with autism last summer, his mother, Melanie Chianese, became his advocate, taking the non-verbal child to parks around their home in the Town of Wappinger, N.Y., to enhance his development through play and socializing with other kids.
On May 29, the toddler lost his mom after a former boyfriend of her mother, Cheryl Chianese, allegedly stabbed Melanie in the home she and her son shared in what police and her family said was an act of domestic violence. She died from her injuries.
“Myles is now being raised without the help, love, and advocacy of his mother, Melanie,” wrote Chianese and Melanie’s two aunts, Dawn Chianese and Kaitlin Balioni, on aGoFundMe pageseeking donations for his care.
“Myles has a long road ahead and it’s unimaginable that his mother is no longer here to make sure his needs are met so we will do this for her,” they wrote.
A friend of Melanie’s told PEOPLE that a suspect, Paul J. Senecal, previously broke up with Melanie’s mom, who had successfully obtained a restraining order against him. Melanie also had requested a restraining order against Senecal but was denied, the friend said.
Deputies who responded about 5:40 p.m. May 29 to a home on Scott Drive in Wappinger found Melanie, 29, suffering from stab wounds, according to theDutchess County Sheriff’s Office. She died at MidHudson Regional Hospital.
“Ms. Chianese and Mr. Senecal were known to each other, and the motive for the incident is still under investigation,” the statement said.
“Melanie was a beautiful woman,” her mother told thePoughkeepsie Journal. Speaking about her grandson, she said Melanie “was his biggest advocate and he needs her.”
Her “son was her universe,” she added.
The victim’s survivors include the boy’s father and Melanie’s partner, Ryan Franolich, according to herobituary.
“She was a certified health coach who spent her life helping others, especially new moms with babies,” according to the notice. She was due to graduate with an associate’s degree from Dutchess County Community College.
“Melanie was an avid health enthusiast,” her family also wrote in the obituary. “She enjoyed cooking, dancing, shopping, working out, going out with her friends and talking to her Aunt Dawn. She also loved pugs, and leaves behind her beloved pug, Ziggy aka Pigarene and her dachshund, Lucy aka Goosie. She just returned from her dream vacation to Florida in which she had the time of her life.”
“However, more than anything in life, Melanie adored her three-year-old son, Myles Nicholas Franolich,” the family also wrote. “She was not just his mother; she was his advocate.”
The “very special little boy” was enrolled in speech and occupational therapy programs, as well as other services for children with special needs that his mother’s family will continue for him, they wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“I just want justice for her,” said Melanie’s mother, thePoughkeepsie Journalreports.
Senecal is in custody without bail at the Dutchess County Jail. A call to the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office, which is representing him, was not immediately returned, and it was unclear if he had entered a plea.
source: people.com
