After 6--members of the Crawford family were killed in a fire in January, the amount of money raised to benefit the family members who survived--- has reached nearly 80-THOUSAND dollars. Judge Mark Belinky has taken it upon himself to make sure the money is distributed properly. There was a hearing today on the matter 

Many Youngstown residents have given donations to the Crawford family fund over the past two months.The money raised from four separate accounts is near $80 thousand dollars. On January 23rd, six members of the Crawford family died in a tragic house-fire on Stewart Avenue. There are four surviving members.

 "ONE CHILD WHO IS VERY SICK AND UNDER GUARDIANSHIP BECAUSE OF HER DISABILITY AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER SIBLING WHO IS INCARCERATED SO IT'S A TOUGH DECISION AS TO DETERMINE WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THE MONEY THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED BY THE COMMUNITY."---Chris Maruca

In early February, Judge Mark Belinky stepped in to protect the finances of 17 year old Julius Crawford and his19 year old sister Ratia, who have been living together since the tragedy. The judge established National City Bank as the guardian of the family's estate. Tabitha Hunter of the Progressive Foundation created three funds through Chase and National City to help raise money for the family. She's also an ad visor to Ratia.

"GOING BACK AND FORTH IN COURT WHEN YOUR DEALING WITH A SITUATION, I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT SHE'S GOING THROUGH. I GUESS SINCE THERE'S MONEY INVOLVED IT GETS WICKED A LITTLE BIT."---Tabitha Hunter

Judge Mark Belenky says he will look over the case this weekend and hopes to have a ruling by early next week.