GREEN BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) — About 35 protesters lined up outside the Brown County courthouse Wednesday morning.
Matthew Georgia made an initial court appearance, almost four months after his truck hit and killed Christian Warzniak.
He is charged with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
Georgia is the ex-boyfriend of Christian’s mother Tara Heath.
Christian’s grandmother Jean Hein was part of the crowd that gathered to support Heath during the hearing.
“Christian was such a beautiful soul inside and out, the kindest and funniest child or person. He was my best friend and I miss him so much,” Hein said. “There’s no way we will ever ever be okay and whole again. Nobody should miss the loss of a 5-year-old little smart baby boy who was the light of our life.”
Alma Lopez says Christian was her daughter’s best friend too.
“The moment she realized that he was gone was when we were at the funeral and he was in his casket, and we told her he couldn’t go by him because he was sleeping and he was going to heaven,” Lopez said. “Then we tried looking up YouTube videos on how to explain it to a child, I mean how do you explain it to a child.”
Christian’s mother tapped into the hearing on her phone.
The criminal complaint says Georgia hit Christian with his truck after getting into an argument with the boy’s mom.
Georgia’s attorney Shane Brabazon tells FOX-11 his client has received death threats.
Georgia’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 15.
The judge set Georgia’s signature bond at $10,000.
It comes with the condition that he doesn’t communicate with Christian’s mother.
Georgia faces up to ten years in prison, if convicted.
