Support for Bala and Sowmya's Children: A Tragic Loss

Support for Bala and Sowmya's Children: A Tragic Loss

Final Update:

As this chapter of support comes to a close, heartfelt gratitude is extended to everyone for the kindness and generosity shown during these challenging months. Your contributions have made an incredible difference in providing stability and hope for the children as they navigate their future. Here are some important updates on the progress and positive changes that have taken place:

• The children’s maternal uncle has traveled from India to provide additional support, and their paternal uncle is planning a trip to visit soon.

• Kinship provider Patty and the children spent Thanksgiving at Patty’s brother’s house, where they experienced a warm and comforting holiday.

• A major portion of the GoFundMe contributions has been moved to dedicated college funds to secure the children’s future education. The remaining funds have been used responsibly to cover:

o Funeral expenses for Bala, including the cost of sending his body to India.

o Funeral home and burial expenses for Sowmya in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

o Security deposit and initial rental expenses for a new apartment.

o Legal administration charges for the probate court and consultations.

o Grocery and household expenses to support the children’s care.

o Savings for a one-time family trip to India next year to connect with extended family.

o Miscellaneous expenses necessary for the family’s transition and well-being.

• A probate lawyer is actively managing the legal process to finalize the estate.

• The family car and van have been returned, providing essential transportation for daily activities.

• The old apartment has been cleared, marking another step toward stability.

• Family members are coordinating plans for travel to India after the school year ends, offering the children a chance to reconnect with extended family.

• The child with special needs continues to show encouraging improvements in language and behavior, thanks to consistent support and interventions.

• The youngest child loves attending kindergarten and is thriving in the new school environment.

• The eldest is looking forward to rejoining sports this spring, rekindling a cherished activity.

The GoFundMe campaign has achieved its goal of addressing immediate needs, securing educational resources, and laying the groundwork for a stable future. These milestones reflect the resilience of everyone involved and the profound impact of the collective support received.

The GoFundMe campaign will be closed in three days. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey and for helping to provide the love and stability these children need to move forward. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Update 3 (Pre-Final):

Thank you all for your continued support and patience as the next steps are being taken to provide stability for the children. Currently, the process of establishing probate is underway, which is necessary for the long-term care plans.

Kinship provider Patty is still working on settling into her new routine with the kids. This includes managing day-to-day activities such as school for the kids, daycare, preschool for the youngest, and clearing out the current apartment.

The kids continue to attend their regular schools, which is helping them maintain a sense of normalcy. The youngest child has settled into a new preschool, where they are cared for by familiar faces from the church, bringing comfort during this transition.

To further support the children, interventions and assessments have been scheduled to help address any trauma they may be feeling. Additionally, a special needs specialist has been connected to help the Kinship provider learn how to better communicate with and support the child with special needs. This specialist will meet with her weekly, providing ongoing guidance for the child’s needs.

Thank you again for all the love and support. It continues to make a profound difference in the children’s lives during this challenging time.

Update 2:

Deep gratitude goes out for the generosity and kindness that has rallied around the kids during this difficult time.

The children are now settled with Patty in a new apartment, where they are being well cared for. The daily meal train, which provided them with home-cooked Indian meals every day, has been a true blessing. The meal chain will last up to first week of October and everyone who contributed to keeping the kids nourished and comforted is greatly appreciated.

In terms of final arrangements, Sowmya’s funeral took place at a funeral home, and she has been laid to rest in Reynoldsburg. Bala’s body was sent to Chennai, India, where his cremation was held amidst his family and relatives.

As for the GoFundMe funds, a portion will be transferred to Patty’s bank account to reimburse expenses already incurred and to cover necessary costs, including funeral expenses, cremation, the transportation of Bala’s body to India, legal fees, and other immediate costs related to the children’s care. The remaining funds will eventually be transferred into a Trust for the kids once the necessary legal processes are completed, though this may take some time.

Thank you again for the continued support. It is making a world of difference for these children, and updates will be provided as things progress.

Update 1:

Thank you for the overwhelming support for Bala and Sowmya’s children during this difficult time. A special thanks to the local families providing meals for the kids as part of the meal train through mid-September—your kindness is deeply appreciated. 

   The children have started school and are staying with a friend’s family, where they are being well cared for by people they know and trust. 

   This week, there will be discussions on setting up trust accounts for the kids’ future and an escrow for ongoing expenses. At this time, there are no updates on the funeral arrangements, but further information will be shared as it becomes available. 

   Thank you again for all the support. It’s making a real difference for these kids.

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On August 20th, 2024, friends and well-wishers of Balasubramanian Kathavarayan and his wife, Sowmya Balasubramanian, were shocked and devastated by the tragic incident that claimed their lives in North Columbus, Ohio. You can read more about the heartbreaking incident in the news here.

Balasubramanian, known to many as Bala, and Sowmya were parents to three young children, aged 4, 6, and 8, who now face an unimaginable future without their parents. The 6-year-old child is living with special needs, adding another layer of complexity to the challenges they will face in the coming years.

Our Immediate Objective:

Friends and well-wishers are coming together to support the long-term needs of these children. The funds raised will be crucial in:

1. Securing the Children’s Financial Future:

2. Final Arrangements for Bala and Sowmya:

A Commitment to Transparency and Updates:

Updates will be provided regularly on this GoFundMe page until the funds are successfully transferred to the children’s account within the next couple of months. This will include detailed information on how the funds are being managed and used for the children's needs.

Approved by All Parties in Kinship:

Please note that this message and the fundraising effort have been reviewed and approved by all parties in kinship with the children. This ensures that everyone involved is in agreement and committed to the responsible management and use of the funds raised.

Fundraising on Behalf of Patricia McKenna and Bala & Sowmya’s Children: (Update as requested by GFM)

This fundraiser is done on behalf of Patricia McKenna, a trusted friend of Bala and Sowmya’s family. Patricia is currently the kinship provider for their children and may potentially become their legal guardian, pending ongoing legal discussions about long-term care.

The funds raised through this campaign will be transferred directly to Patricia McKenna’s bank account. These funds will be used to cover immediate needs, including funeral expenses, legal costs, and essential expenses for the children’s care and well-being. Additionally, plans are underway to establish trust accounts to secure the children’s financial future, ensuring that the funds are responsibly managed for their long-term needs, including education and healthcare.

Regular updates will be provided on this GoFundMe page for the next few weeks to keep all donors informed of how their contributions are supporting the children.

Contact Information:

For any questions or further information, please feel free to leave a message to us directly:

How You Can Help:

Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in the lives of these three young children. Together, we can help secure their future and provide them with the stability and care they need during this incredibly difficult time.

Please share this page widely within your networks. Even if you're unable to contribute financially, your help in spreading the word is invaluable.

Thank You:

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion during this difficult time. Let’s come together to ensure that these children are surrounded by love and support as they navigate their future.