Often, we see little boys camping with their dads. They can also play basketball or even play video games.

A father is someone who guides and molds their sons to be gentlemen. They spend quality time and shower their kids with love.

But not everyone gets to experience this. For little Ronnie Oneal, his father was the one who made his nightmare come true.

Three years ago, last March 2018, the peaceful neighborhood located in the Riverview area of Tampa, Florida, was awoken by gruesome news.

Kenyatta Baron, 33 years old, and her daughter with special needs, Ron’Niveya, who was only 9 years old, were found lifeless in their home.

Baron’s 8-year-old son, Ronnie, suffered injuries due to multiple stab wounds. The little boy was also set on fire.

However, little Ronnie didn’t die.

The person who did this was heartless and was beyond cruel. It was none other than Ronnie’s father, Ronnie Oneal III.

The boy witnessed his father brutally ending his mom and sister’s life. He saw everything, and then he went for him. He looked him in the eyes and stabbed him mercilessly. Then he set his on fire.

Detective Mike Blair of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t believe what he had heard on the radio. He was one of the assigned authorities who first came to the crime scene.

“By the time I arrived that night, we were told there was a child being medevacked to Tampa General, but he was not expected to live,” Detective Mike said.

Ronnie, who was just 8 years old at that time, suffered multiple stab wounds. He also had burns all over his body, but he was a survivor. The doctors were amazed when he woke up.

He had a fast recovery.

Detective Mike decided to visit the young survivor. He didn’t want to ask him questions yet, he just wanted to see how he was doing.

Little Ronnie saw the detective and told him:

“Could you watch a movie with me?”

The detective was busy, but he did promise Ronnie that he would come back and they would watch a movie together.

His heart sank that day. He went home and he asked his wife if they can skip their usual date plan and just go to see Ronnie in the hospital.

Mike’s wife, without hesitation, said yes.

When they went back to the hospital and Mike’s wife saw the little boy, her heart knew they would play a big part in his second life.

“I had already known that I would want to take Ronnie home with us starting that night,” she recalled.

After a few weeks, Mike received a call from the Guardian ad Litem. They wanted to ask him if he knew someone willing to foster or adopt little Ronnie.

Mike smiled as he told them that he wanted to take the boy with him.

The next year, the Blair family went from a family of 7 to a beautiful family of 8.

“I go to like a different church; I have a different brother and sister. I have a different mom and dad. I have a different house,” Ronnie said. “It’s pretty cool to be with them.”

Slowly, Ronnie and his new family were moving forward from that nightmare, but justice must still be served, and Ronnie was willing to help.

Ronnie testified against his father through an online trial. He knew that his father was representing himself, so he would have to cross-examine him. He was so brave to face the man who caused his nightmares.

Justice was finally served.

Judge Michelle Sisco handed down her decision. Ronnie Oneal III was sentenced to 3 life terms without the possibility of parole.

A few years after the tragedy, Ronnie is still adjusting. It’s not easy to forget what had happened to him, but with the help of his new and loving family, he’s taking it one step at a time.

Mike thought Ronnie a simple but meaningful mantra, it goes:

“I am SAFE, I am LOVED, and I am a part of this FAMILY.”

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Source: HCSOSheriff, Fox 13 Tampa Bay