Cops say Dante Daniels was beaten to death with a hammer.
An 8-year-old California boy who cops say was beaten to death with a hammer died a hero while protecting his sister from her molester, the boy's grandmother says.
The incident occurred in South Sacramento on Sept. 1, when Dante Daniels' grandmother says he tried to intervene as a male suspect performed sexual acts on Dante's 7-year-old little sister.
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“That’s why he was beat the worst,” the grandmother told KTXL. The grandmother said she was told that Dante was beaten "down to his spine."
Police say the suspect, identified as Dante's mother's ex-boyfriend Deandre Chaney Jr., then turned a hammer and knife on the mother and daughter.
Dante died hours later.
After the assault, cops say Chaney stole the family's vehicle and fled the scene.
Chaney was arrested hours later on an outstanding warrant in the state of Nevada.
Chaney is charged with Dante's murder and other charges related to the alleged assault of 28-year-old Elizabeth Salone and her daughter.
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A woman who identified as Salone's relative has created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay medical costs and get the family other help they will need in the months and years to come.
"We are asking for any help possible due to the fact the kids need multiple surgeries along with medical bills and recovery. They will all need to go through counseling," the page reads. "The children will never be the same from this tragedy nor will their mother."
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