On Aug. 13, 2008, Magdalena Lubowska was swept away in New York State's Niagara River.
The death of the 12-year-old Bronx girl shocked the community and devastated her parents and family members.
Magdalena was among a group of 23 children who were involved in a summer trip to Niagara Falls as part of a church group visiting the area from New York City. On the day of her death, Magdalena was hiking in Whirlpool State Park with other church members and their tour guide when she slipped on a rock and fell into the fast-moving river. Her body was discovered by kayakers 10 days later.
The investigation that followed concluded that the Fourth Street summer camp, where Magdalena’s church group stayed during their visit, lacked the necessary licenses and approvals needed to provide transient housing and conduct tours in the city.
Earlier this month, the girl’s parents formally notified the city and county of their intent to file lawsuits against both municipalities for allowing the Renaissance House (illegally run by Eva and Thomas Hedges) at 722 Fourth St. to continue to operate as a camp and to conduct tours from the home, despite the lack of necessary approvals and complaints from neighbors.
The family’s attorney, Gus Farinella, said that the family is praying for the health and well-being of all children this season as they remember their own “Little Angel” Magdalena.
-- Niagara Gazette reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250
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