New Rochelle boy, 2, who died had been subject of abuse probe | LoHud.com | The Journal News

New Rochelle boy, 2, who died had been subject of abuse probe | LoHud.com | The Journal News

NEW ROCHELLE — The 2-year-old city boy whose "suspicious" death Sunday is under investigation was taken from his parents and placed in foster care for 15 months on allegations that he was physically abused, police said today.



The toddler, who was removed by Westchester Child Protective Services in March 2009 after the abuse was alleged a month earlier, was returned to his parents in June 2010, New Rochelle police Detective Lt. Christopher Hearle said.

City police, CPS and the District Attorney's Office investigated the 2009 allegation, but the parents were never charged with abuse.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of Sunday's death, though they have labeled it suspicious.

"This was a 2-year-old healthy child," Hearle said. "He was healthy moments before he stopped breathing."

Police were called to the Bracey municipal housing complex, at 345 Main St., at 1:15 a.m. Sunday on a report that the child, whose name was not released, had stopped breathing. By the time police arrived, a neighbor was already performing CPR. The boy was taken by ambulance to Sound Shore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 2 a.m.

Hearle said the child's dire condition came to light after the father called a friend to report his son was having trouble breathing. The friend then called a woman who lived in the building. She was the one who was performing CPR when officers arrived, Hearle said.

There have been no arrests, but police have questioned the parents and several neighbors, Hearle said.

The Medical Examiner's Office declined to comment, referring all questions to police.

Staff writers Shawn Cohen and Ned P. Rauch contributed to this report.