Inverness mourns Austin Chang, 10, after father poisoned him and his 6-yr-old sister Jeslyn
INVERNESS, ILLINOIS: The small northwest suburban Inverness community have come together on Thursday, September 15, to pray for a couple of siblings, who were intentionally poisoned by their father on Sunday, September 11. 41-year-old Woon Chang poisoned Austin Chang, 10 and his sister Jeslyn,6, by deliberately leaving a generator on inside the home, and he and the two children were overcome by carbon monoxide.
CBS News said that Woo Chang's estranged wife went to the home in Inverness on Sunday around 4.30 pm after he did not return the young boy and girl at the scheduled time after visitation. She found them all unconscious in the home in the 2200 block of Palatine Road. He and their son, 10-year-old Austin Chang, were pronounced dead at the scene. The couple's 6-year-old daughter, Jeslyn, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Fortunately, Jeslyn is now opening her eyes and will have her breathing tube removed as she can now breathe on her own.
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MEAWW previously reported this incident. Austin was identified as a student by Palatine Township Elementary District 15. A statement released said, "The district is simply heartsick, and in both shock and mourning over the tragic loss of one of our students." It continued, "Our efforts right now are focused on offering support to staff and students at Frank C Whiteley where the student attended school. It goes without saying that this is a devastating loss for all of us here in District 15, especially as we look to the remainder of the school year where the child's absence will be felt by classmates and staff."
Neighbors found the incident hard to believe and said the ‘family seemed friendly’. "I was very surprised to hear this," said neighbor Renata Dyrda. Woo Chang did not have a criminal background. A GoFundMe page to support the family has been organized by a group known as Friends. It aims to raise money for the expense for burial and medical expenses of the family and has reached over $49,000. The update on the GoFundMe page said, "Thank you so much for all of your love, generosity and support for the Chang family. Jeslyn is doing great! She had an echo that looked good. She is opening her eyes and tracking. Listening to some commands. She is even recognizing faces and staring lovingly at her mama. It looked like she was trying to speak to Chelsie a few times. They are taking her breathing tube out today as she is breathing on her own. Keep the prayers coming, they are working."