Killeen mother’s donation money stolen twice while trying to cover son’s cremation costs

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - A Killeen mother is facing heartbreak on top of heartbreak after money raised to cover her son’s funeral costs was taken, not once, but twice.

Clarissa Toba lost her son, 19-year-old Aden Sundell, to suicide on May 15th. She describes him as someone who could light up any room.

“I’m going to miss his smile, his personality, he could light up a room,” Toba said.

Donation box stolen

To help cover the cost of a viewing and cremation, customers at The Texas Thrift store where Clarissa works set up a donation box, with the store’s blessing.

But on June 1, a coworker called with devastating news. The donation box had been stolen.

“I was brokenhearted because I’m always kind to people and courteous. It just sucks that you can’t do a good thing for somebody,” Toba said.

No police report has been filed. The Texas Thrift tells KWTX it is aware of the situation and conducting an internal investigation.

GoFundMe issues

That theft came on top of a second setback. A friend had started a GoFundMe on Clarissa’s behalf but stopped responding and had not passed along all the funds raised.

“All those people who love my son donated on that page. That was shared all over, my family, friends, people who loved and cared for that child,” Toba said.

A message for other parents

Despite everything, Toba says she’s taking it one day at a time, and has a message for anyone who may be struggling.

“If you ever feel like you don’t have nobody in this world, just know, you do. And I’m just sad that my son didn’t see that.”

How to help

Affordable Burial and Cremation Service is accepting donations directly toward Aden Sundell’s cremation costs. Donations can be made over the phone, just reference his name.

Toba’s direct CashApp is $LeighSchellenberger