functions.php crash in my child theme

Hello,

I created a child theme to modify the parent I was using. Im using the Modest theme from elegant themes. I successfully created a child theme with the style.css file but when I try to add a functions.php file the website crashes. I cannot get to the home page or login page. I get a return server error. When I remove the functions file the website returns to normal. How to you implement a functions.php file into a child theme?

I used the opening php tag <?php and closed with ?>. I put my functions modification between, the syntax seemed ok. The editor Im using checks syntax when you write the code. I can place the functions modification into the themes functions.php file but if I update the theme the functions mod will be removed. I tried the…

include ‘/wp-includes/functions.php’; command but that did not change anything.

I also have to create a different footer.php file. Im afraid of running into the same problem.

Thanks in advance.

this is what my functions.php file looks like

<?php
include ‘/wp-includes/functions.php’;

function exclude_category($query) {
if (&query->is_home() ) {
$query->set(‘cat’, ‘-10 -6 -2 -1’);
}
return $query;
}
add_filter(‘pre-get_posts’, ‘exclude_category’);
?>