@HCSO Texas/TwitterJason Saldivar is to be released from Beaumont federal prison today, but this won’t be a day for celebration.
The 36-year-old lost his four children, as well as his grandparents, during Hurricane Harvey.
His teenage children, 16-year-old Devy and 15-year-old Dominic, died in east Houston alongside their younger siblings, 8-year-old Xavier and 6-year-old Daisey.
There are no words for this…. PLEASE share!!!
Help for Saldivar family https://t.co/k6rr8OkhbS
— Kimberly Sam (@kykeyu) September 9, 2017
Pray for Victims of Hurricane Harvey!
Devi Saldivar, 16, member of 6 family found in van pic.twitter.com/VQrruV2Q42— Beverly Bryant-Jones (@bbryantjones) September 2, 2017
The bodies of the children were discovered drowned in a van along with those of their elderly great-grandparents, 81-year-old Belia and 84-year-old Manuel.
Pray for Victims of Hurrcane Harvey!
Belia Saldivar, 81 and Manuel Saldivar, 84, members of 6 family died in van. pic.twitter.com/PxtuT44CsH— Beverly Bryant-Jones (@bbryantjones) September 2, 2017
The family had been trying to escape the rising floodwaters when the van became submerged in 10 feet of water and swept away.
The driver of the van, family member Sammy Saldivar, managed to survive and was found clinging to a branch after escaping the vehicle.
We are sad to confirm we have retrieved six victims from a van that was submerged in Greens Bayou. #harvey pic.twitter.com/dbsKGIvtLi
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 30, 2017
Jason found out about the tragedy after a fellow inmate allowed him to use his pre-paid phone minutes to speak with his remaining family.
He’d been serving out the last few weeks of a six-month-sentence after being charged with parole violation – he’d previously been charged with dealing marijuana reports the Daily Mail.
My heart breaks for these 4 beautiful children & grandparents whose van was swept away in TX floods. Wishing the #Saldivar family peace. pic.twitter.com/86JPiWSHBQ
— Liz Tambascio (@etambascio) August 30, 2017
Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, Jason discussed his disbelief and loss:
I was shocked. I thought it was a cruel ass joke,
I really was in shock. I didn’t think it was real. Those kids on TV, that’s got to be somebody else. That’s not my family.
If I was out, I could’ve prevented this.
Praying for the Saldivar family. 2 beloved grandparents and 4 beautiful grandchildren lost. #HurricaineHarvey
— Tina Dobson (@TinaD0528) August 30, 2017
Today began healing process by laying to rest constituents who lost their lives in #Harvey floods. We grieve with the Saldivar Family. RIP
— Sylvia R. Garcia (@SenatorSylvia) September 9, 2017
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family of the children who were killed.
Our thoughts are with the Saldivar family during this difficult time.
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.