Help 3 Freehold Girls Left Behind After Parents Tragic Deaths
Denise Bartone was found dead in her home at 123 Koster Drive in Freehold Township around 7 a.m. Authorities believe she died overnight. A search began immediately for her husband Keith Bartone. His body was found floating in the Raritan River later Monday afternoon.
The prosecutor's office didn't specifically say Kenneth Bartone is believed to have killed his wife, but it did say there was not believed to be any further danger to the community. The couple's three daughters were reported safe.
Denise Bartone was a former chairperson of the Freehold Township Educational Foundation. School superintendent Nick Dickstein sent a letter to district parents regarding her death, and said his thoughts and prayers are with Bartone's daughters, who "attended the district's schools."
Visitation for Denise Bartone is from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7th and Friday the 8th at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home at 100 Elton Adelphia Road in Freehold.
Her funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road in Freehold.
My heart goes out to the Bartone's three daughters. I can't imagine the agony and confusion that they must be going through. All the girls are old enough to know what's happened, but not quite old enough to understand. Quite frankly, no one in Freehold, Monmouth County, and beyond will ever understand.
In one moment, these innocent girls lost their support system, their Mom and Dad. Luckily, the Bartone sisters have some pretty amazing family and friends who have stepped up to help ensure that they'll have some financial assistance as they attempt to move on with their lives.
Much like the story of the two young Brick brothers who were near homelessness, the Freehold community has come together, in record time. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Bartone sisters. All money will go towards helping them create a new life. One without a mother and father.