UVALDE, Texas — Despite attempts by reality star Kim Kardashian to get him temporary release, the father of a little girl killed in the massacre at Robb Elementary missed his daughter’s funeral.
10-year-old Eliahana Torres was one of 19 students killed May 24 when a gunman opened fire at her school in Uvalde, Texas. Her father, Eli Torres, is currently in a Kentucky prison for drug trafficking and consipiracy, WTVQ reported.
In a last-minute effort to help, Kim Kardashian posted a photo of Eliahana on Twitter this morning, saying “Her family are desperately hoping that her father, who is incarcerated for a non-violent drug offense, be granted temporary release so that he can attend her funeral.” In a second post, Kardashian added, “I ask the @officialFBOP to grant Eli Torres temporary release so that he can say his last goodbye to his baby girl. Every parent deserves that right.”
This is Eliahana ‘Ellie’ Cruz Torres, 10 years old, and one of the 19 victims of the shooting in Uvalde, TX. Her family are desperately hoping that her father, who is incarcerated for a non violent drug offense, be granted temporary release so that he can attend her funeral. pic.twitter.com/RJbSAomyuC
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) June 2, 2022
Despite the appeal, Eli Torres was not released in time for the funeral, which was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, The San Antonio Express-News reported.
Prison officials offered Torres the option to watch the funeral via livestream, but he said he wanted to go in person, according to the Express-News.
“I could have prevented this from happening, somehow, some way, as a father … I could have stopped it somehow. Protected her,” Torres told the newspaper.
In addition to Kardashian’s efforts, Rep. Attica Scott, who represents Louisville, Kentucky, sent a letter to both President Joe Biden and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asking for help. In the letter, Scott says, “Eliahana and her father were only one week away from having physical contact with each other before the shooting took place.”
While the Bureau of Prisons has denied the request to allow Eliahna’s father to attend her funeral, our advocacy on behalf of her family must persist.
— Rep. Attica Scott (@atticaforky) May 31, 2022
I sent this letter to @POTUS and @GovAndyBeshear demanding they do something! #UvaldeStrong #Uvalde #Kentucky https://t.co/j6wwbySTtJ pic.twitter.com/TyM2XDMVGw
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, who represents Texas’ 20th district, also posted on Twitter requesting Torres’ release, saying “I strongly disagree with their decision to deny the request. In the wake of this tragedy, every parent should be able to say goodbye.”
I (and others) have repeatedly asked @OfficialFBOP to temporarily release Eli Torres under supervision to attend his daughter’s funeral.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) June 2, 2022
I strongly disagree with their decision to deny the request. In the wake of this tragedy, every parent should be able to say goodbye. https://t.co/t5XNHIBTct
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