Father of Newburgh survivor wants to be in son's life

NEWBURGH

/*Todd Johnson*/, the biological father of the surviving victim says he's still confused, but praying for thanks that his son /*LaShaun Armstrong*/ survived, while grieving for Lashanda Armstrong, the woman he met as a teen.

Johnson sat down with /*Eyewitness News*/ at the /*Woodbourne Correctional Facility*/ where he's serving time for armed robbery. He says Armstrong changed after getting into a relationship with Jean Pierre, who fathered her three youngest children.

It's been two years since Johnson has seen his son. Today LaShaun was 50 miles away, back at the dock, keeping his face hidden while relatives commemorated what would have been his sister's first birthday.

They said happy birthday and released balloons--but there were plenty of tears too.

While in prison Johnson has gotten his GED and has enrolled in college classes. He says turning his life around has taken on new importance.

The funeral arrangements will be as follows:
Monday, April 25, 2011
11:00 a.m. – Private Family Service at Alphonso E. Brown Funeral Home, Spring Valley, NY
1:00 p.m. – Private Family Burial at Gethsemane Cemetery, Congers, NY

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