The restaurant manager in Florida who saved an 11-year-old boy from his allegedly abusive parents has said that a letter from police was her absolute favorite birthday present, Fox News reports.
On Wednesday, (January 20), which happened to be Flaviane Carvalho's birthday, the quick-thinking restaurant manager received a letter from the team who are investigating the case of the young boy she saved on January 1.
Authorities gave Carvalho an update on the boy, saying that he is doing well and is recovering, which Carvalho called the best gift of all, per WFTV.
"I’m super glad. I’m happy for him," she told the outlet. "It just warms my heart that now he has a better chance in life and he’s being treated well and feeling love and being taken care of."
Learn more about the story below:Carvalho rescued the boy during her shift at Mrs. Potato Restaurant in Orlando on New Year's Day. The waitress and manager felt something was off when a family of four sat down at a table, and the young boy was reportedly not allowed to order.
After seeing bruises and scratches on his arms and face, Carvalho held up a sign - so that only the child could see - asking "Do you need help? OK." The boy managed to communicate that he did indeed need help, which led to her 911 call.
The boy was then taken to hospital where doctors stated he was about 20 pounds underweight and had sustained substantial injuries.
"In the opinion of the lead investigator, that child was destined to be killed," a police spokesperson said, according to WESH.
Per Fox News, authorities suspect the child was a target of abuse by his stepfather, Timothy Wilson II, as he is not his biological child.
Wilson was arrested on several counts of third-degree child abuse and is currently still in custody in Orange County Jail. The 11-year-old's mother, Kristen Swann, was also arrested on charges of child neglect but is currently out on bond.
The server has been praised for her action and, in fact, over $40,000 has been raised to "reward Flaviane for taking a stand and speaking up."
"It’s crazy," she said. "I didn’t expect any of this at all in my whole life."
