A representative of the family of Perry Cohen, one of the two teenage boys missing at sea, has requested a stop to combining the images of the two boys "in any written or electronic format," according a statement posted Thursday on the Austin blu foundation facebook page.
The statement says the family of Austin Stephanos, the other boy missing at sea, will comply with the request. The family requests others also comply.
“This is not an indication of a dispute between the families. This is to make sure the families remain in compliance with Florida laws until they can set up an IRS-approved charity,” said a person acting as a spokesman of the families who asked to be unnamed.
Establishing the foundation will take about six months, said the spokesman.
Families of Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos declined comment.
The 14-year-old boys went missing in a boat July 24 from the Jupiter Inlet, a waterway considered dangerous by boaters and the U.S. Coast Guard. The families of the two missing boys called off the private search Aug. 9.
“Today, our hope becomes our prayer — that one day Perry and Austin will be returned to us,” the families of the missing teens said then in a joint statement.
The Coast Guard called off its search that stretched from Daytona Beach to South Carolina, on July 31.
Blu Stephanos, Austin’s father, and Carly Black, Austin’s mother, announced the AustinBlu Foundation following an outpouring of financial support after their sons were missing. They said at the time the foundation will not only honor their son but also prevent anything like this from happening to any other family.
The spokesman said he did not know how much money was raised. He said he did not know if money was still being accepted.
Stephanos said the foundation’s goal is to raise awareness, provide education, and make tools and technology available to prevent boating accidents. He said in South Florida, boating is such an integral part of the culture that it’s second nature to most kids growing up.
The following was posted Thursday on the Austin blu foundation facebook page:
TO ALL OF OUR DEAR FRIENDS AND KIND SUPPORTERS:
A representative of the Cohen family has requested that we, our families, vendors and associates refrain, cease, and desist from using the name of their son, his initial or photos or resemblances of him in any written or electronic format where such name and/or photos of the two boys are combined together, conjoined, symbolized together or used in a logo fashion combining such names and/or photos.
We intend to fully respect and honor the Cohen Family’s wishes. We request that everyone associated with us likewise honor this request. We love and miss them both dearly.
With our deepest love and appreciation,
Carly, Blu, Our Families & The Austin Blu Foundation.
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