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A statue of a fatally abused boy in a Superman costume is nearing completion, the man behind the tribute tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The bronze figure of Jeffrey Baldwin — a 5-year-old boy from Toronto who was starved, beaten and ultimately murdered by his grandparent guardians in 2002 — shot to international attention after DC Entertainment prohibited the inclusion of the famous S-shield in the sculpture. After a public outcry, DC reversed its decision.
Todd Boyce, the Ottawa father who launched the Indiegogo campaign for the memorial, says the final touches are being put on the statue, with an eye on Oct. 18 as the date of the official unveiling in Toronto’s Greenwood Park. The memorial also includes a park bench covered in messages to Jeffrey from individuals who contributed funds to the project.
“I am grateful to DC for allowing Jeffrey’s statue to display the iconic Superman S-shield,” Boyce tells THR. “The amount of affection shown for Jeffrey from people around the world has been extremely heartwarming.”
Boyce added: “Hopefully Jeffrey’s statue will act as a reminder to adults of their responsibility to report a suspected case of abuse, possibly saving the life of another vulnerable child.”
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