HOUSTON – Friends and family were raising money for 4-year-old Ayden Duarte on Saturday. Police said Ayden was stabbed and mutilated by his mother, Jenea Mungia, on Feb. 26.
While Ayden continues to recover in a hospital, his father spoke to the media for the first time since the stabbing.
"I just want to thank everybody for all the support and all the love you've been showing," Andres Duarte said. "And the prayers. It really helped out during this hard time."
Andres Duarte said Ayden's condition is improving.
"We passed a hard time now," he said. "We're in the recovery phase now and everything is going to be all good."
Ayden's family held a barbecue fundraiser with the help of The Smokin' Cookers, and Texas Roadhouse to help raise money for medical bills and rehabilitation.
"We were nervous in the beginning because it was just close family, but a lot of our friends and the community came, and supported us and we're really grateful to everybody," Angelica Vargas said.
While there may be a long road to recovery ahead for Ayden, his father is just happy to see him smile.
"He's happy, he's smiling and laughing," Andres Duarte said. "He's doing good. Once we get out, he'll come say hello to everybody, too."
Mungia is being held in the Harris County Jail with no bond.