Nearly $158,000 raised for Chicago-area beating victim

CHICAGO (AP) - People from across the U.S. have sent gifts and nearly $158,000 has been raised for a white Chicago-area mentally disabled teenager who was shown live on Facebook being beaten by four black people.

A spokesman for the youth's family tells the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2j4GRhZ ) that the outpouring has been "heartwarming." Neal Strom says several groups have reached out since last week's incident, including police officers from Buffalo, New York.

Strom said he is working with the victim's family to manage proceeds from the online fundraising effort . A representative of GoFundMe has said the company will make sure the money reaches the teen's family. As of Tuesday afternoon the effort has raised nearly $158,000 from 5,000 donors.

Four people face battery and hate crimes counts among other charges in the attack.

___

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com