Mayor Bloomberg visits shiva house of Leiby’s family

(JTA) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited the shiva house of the family of Leiby Kletzky.

Bloomberg, wearing a yarmulke, visited the family for about 15 minutes on Monday along with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who is directing the investigation into the murder of the 8-year-old boy.

"The commissioner and I express our condolences to the parents and grandparents and siblings, and there’s not a lot else we can say," the mayor said according to the New York Post."

Bloomberg also said, "I think we should, before we go to bed, take a look at our children and recognize how lucky we are to have them. Pray this doesn’t happen to us."

Kelly told reporters that the investigation is "going slowly."

Leiby was kidnapped after he asked for directions while walking home from day camp by himself for the first time. Suspect Levi Aron allegedly killed the boy and dismembered his body when he learned about the massive search for the boy. 

Aron was arraigned July 13 on charges of murder and kidnapping. Leiby apparently struggled against Aron as he allegedly was being suffocated; scratch marks were found on Aron’s arms and wrists, according to reports.

Despite a confession to police, Aron pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held in the jail section of Bellevue Hospital, where he is undergoing psychiatric evaluation and is on a suicide watch, according to the Post.