By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – It could be as long as 10 weeks before the cause of death is figured out in the case of the 3-year-old boy who died under suspicious circumstances over the weekend.
The child was taken by ambulance from a Vader home to Providence Centralia Hospital on Sunday evening.
Very little information has been released.
Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20 was called to the 400 block of Main Street where CPR was already underway. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said only that they were investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy with suspicious circumstances.
An autopsy was conducted today, but final determinations can’t be made until the Lewis County Coroner’s Office gets back the results of toxicology tests, as well as the findings of various studies conducted by the pathologist, Coroner Warren McLeod said this afternoon.
Toxicology tests can take eight to 10 weeks, he said.
McLeod did not release the toddler’s name, or any other information.
He said he was still waiting for final confirmation of the child’s identity, and would not release it until after the legal next-of-kin have had enough time to notify other relatives.
McLeod said he was taking the extra time to make sure all the family beyond just the next-of-kin is made aware, because of the more sensitive nature of the case; it’s a child and the sheriff’s office is conducting an investigation.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said late this afternoon she had no further information to release. The sheriff’s office has a briefing in the morning and if they choose to share anything more, it would be after that’s done, Brown said.
None of the officials authorized to speak have even stated where the child died, in Vader or at the Centralia hospital, nor have they said where the child lived.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
And in addition to what others have said to Uintah, if someone has information regarding a three year old in the area about whom they have concerns… communicate them to the law enforcement! What is the point of waiting to be asked? No need to wait and see if “this” is the correct three year old.
That was supposed to read “disclosing”…not “downloading”
Well said Hannah. There is nothing to be gained by downloading the child’s name. There is enough pain and grief in this family’s future. Rest in peace little one.
This is just horrible. I’ve recently had a friend who lost their child, and her family (the childs grandparents) were getting phone calls before my friend could tell the family. Often, the family struggles with how to tell other members of their family, and it is fair to not allow the media to be the bearers of the bad news. It’s hard enough on the family as it is, without hearing it on Facebook or seeing it on breaking news. My heart breaks for them, and prayers are going up for comfort and peace during this time, no matter what the childs name is.
Thanks BL Zebub!
I agree with Bobby, and don’t have any issue with them withholding the names until the family can be notified.
I also am not sure how libel would be any more likely to happen without the names being released. There often seems to be confusion regarding libel and slander so thought I’d help clear it up for those interested. Libel is a Defamation that can be seen, such as a writing, printing, movie, or statue. Slander is any defamation that is spoken and heard.
Libel and slander harm a reputation or “good name”; decrease respect, regard, or confidence; or induce disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against an individual. Like Bobby mentioned, it certainly can affect a person’s finances, but it is not limited to financial impact.
Uintah: Libel? That is when you say things about somebody that is not true and causes them financial problems. The article also says they are waiting for the final confirmation of the identity and to be sure all family are told. Do you think the public’s “right” to know outweighs being sure the family is told appropriately. Maybe the family should hear about it by reading the paper?
Only place I’ve ever lived where law officials withhold names from the media for more than a day. It’s called the public’s right to know, not officials’ right to do what they please. Withholding for this long promotes rumor, mistrust, and libel. Moreover, an outside party might have information that would help the investigation.