According to reports, NBA star Shaquille O’neal is planning to cover the cost for the funeral of Shaniya Davis, the five-year old who was recently kidnapped and murdered in a story that rocked the nation.
The cost of the funeral is expected to be about $4,500.
“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye. What happened to her was tragic. I wanted her to have a funeral that would be as beautiful as she was,” Shaq said in the statement.
According to media reports, the child was killed by 29-year old Mario McNeill on the same day that she was found to be missing.
The 5-year-old’s body was found about 6 miles from he last known location. Security footage captured her image with a man believed to be McNeill at the Comfort Suites hotel in Sanford.
Her mother, Antoinette Davis, has been charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution.
Shaq Pays For Shaniya Davis Funeral
What a wonderful thing to do, Shaq, you are a great human being. How loving and caring you are, the little girls family is going through the worst thing that could happen, and now they don’t have another burden to handle. I wish there were more people like you, you are, indeed a good person. God bless you Shaq.
Shaq has just gained my utmost respect. God bless the family and may justice be swift.
I truly believe that there is good people out there and Shaq has shown that with this awesome gift out of a terrible ordeal..God bless you Shaq and your family and this little girl’s family will be in my prayers as well.
I always liked Shaq now I just love him. He has such a kind heart and it goes to show he is not only a superstar on the court but a superstar human being. God bless you Shaq
God’s Love Shines through you Shaq! What a Blessing!
Shaq, even though you are a superstar, you have shown God’s love. May God bless you and your family. To the family may God comfort you in your lost of a precious angel.
I always have liked Shaq and I am so glad he thought to make such a nice contricution to society. She does deserve a beautiful funeral in her memory. Some celebs just don’t spend their money in the right ways, thanks Shaq for setting an example.
what a selfless thing to do in spite fo your own problems. You are a true humanitarian, with a caring and good heart. You set the example for people with financial resources to come forward,when people are really in need of help. You are truly a blessing to us.
This is one of the greatest news ever. If only they would’ve put this on the best Hero of the year. This is the first I’ve heard, and I’m hoping the others will follow. My uncle is laying in an L.A. morgue today while his family tries to raise money for his funeral cost.
This is one of the greatest news I’ve ever heard in fla, Just wanted to say thank you my bro, for taking care of that beautiful little angel. God bless you Shaq& Family!!
The word says that what ever you do for the least of them you do it unto him…God declares himself to be the avenger of the fatherless,and widows and those in need…..sometimes he uses human hands like Shaq to accompolish his work..I pray that a special blessing from above that only God can do will come into your life for this random act of kindness…you are a superhero.
How wonderful is this guy? He won me over with his show about overweight children, then his Shaq Vs. my Quarteback,here in my hometown of Pittsburgh, but this…? What a MAN!! God allows us to suffer so that we may enjoy blessings in other ways. Bless you Shaq, may things in your life go the way He wants them to… Great job!!
WHAT SHAQ DID FOR THAT LITTLE GIRL IS BEYOND WORDS. THAT IS THE TYPE OF KINDNESS THAT IS RARELY EVER ACKNOWLEDGED. YOU ARE A FANTASTIC PERSON SHAQ. AS FAR AS THE POOR CHILDS FAMILY. I FEEL NO SYMPATHY FOR A POS MOTHER. HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO YOUR CHILD…… I COULDNT EVEN IMAGINE PUTTING MY CHILD THRU ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. THERE ARE HORRIBLE PEOPLE LIKE THAT ON THIS EARTH BUT THANK GOD THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE SHAQ TO TRY TO SOMETHING SO…. DANG I CANT EVEN THINK OF THE RIGHT WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. THANK YOU SHAQ FOR THINKING OF THAT POOR GIRL AND DOING SOMETHING SO SWEET.
Shaq,may GOD forever blesses you..for your act of kindness
God will richly bless you for what you have done. What a wonderful person you are. GOD BLESS YOU, SHAQ!!!!!!!!
What a classy thing for Shaq to do…from her pictures the little girl lost is beautiful, and it’s very touching to know Shaq is helping in this way.
What a wonderful, generous man you are!! You are so caring about mankind. God will continue to bless you and when you give, your return will be ten-fold. Your life will continue to be successful and blessed. The death of that little girl is so tragic, it brought tears to my eyes, and your gift does help her grieving dad.
To pay for the funeral is a blessing to the family. Shaq you will be truly blessed by such an unselfish act of kindness. I have always liked and respected you as a ballplayer and human being but you have managed to touch me in my heart by this act. God will richly bless you not with things but his by His Love and Grace.