A boy with severe autism who died in a fire in Oshawa earlier this month was a joyful and friendly child who loved dancing to Disney songs and playing dress up, his mother said.

Bentley Dunn, 11, was found dead inside a trailer that had caught fire on Oct. 18.

“He loved to run around and be free, he was very much a free spirit,” said his mother, Amanda Dunn.

Bentley was staying with his father when the fire broke out, Dunn said. While they are separated, she said they had a strong co-parenting relationship.

Dunn said Bentley was always happy and found joy in playing in pools and the sand. He gave hugs freely and enjoyed greeting people in his school hallways.

“He always loved to play with his stuffed animals because he didn’t have a lot of friends because of his autism,” Dunn said.

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