‘He was everything to our family’: Toddler killed in Ont. daycare crash laid to rest

The family of a 17-month-old boy, who was killed after a vehicle drove into a daycare in Richmond Hill, Ont., last week, is calling for change to prevent another tragedy.

The family of a toddler in Ontario is remembering him for his laughter and curiosity, and how he brought joy to all those around him.

They’re also hoping the almost 18-month-old boy’s death will bring about justice and accountability.

Liam Riazati was inside the First Roots Early Education Academy in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle that had been parked outside the daycare drove through the front window.

The vehicle struck several children and staff — killing Liam and seriously injuring another child. In total, seven children and three adults were taken to hospital with injuries.

Liam’s family held a memorial and funeral on Sunday, where they paid tribute to the young boy.

His mother read a letter to her son in Persian, and in a translated version provided by the family, she spoke of the joy Liam brought to their lives.

“We had been waiting for so long for an angel to be born into our lives. I will never forget those beautiful days — those days when, if anyone asked me the last time I was truly happy, I would think of them,” she said.

“Seventeen months — just 17 months — we lived, we loved, and then everything ended. It’s been three days now, and we’ve been like walking dead in our own home. Life doesn’t go on without you, Liam.”