On February 28, 2017 at about 2:34 pm, Kern County Sheriff’s deputies from the Rosamond Substation responded to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster for a reported of a deceased 1 ½ year old boy who had been brought into the hospital.

When deputies arrived, they contacted hospital staff and the deceased boy’s mother.

Deputies learned the boy’s mother had brought him into the hospital, however, hospital staff determined the boy was dead and it appeared he had been dead for at least several hours.

Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives, along with a Deputy Coroner, went to the hospital and examined the boy’s body, which displayed signs of trauma. Detectives later responded to the family’s home in the 1200 block of Rosamond Blvd. in Rosamond. Detectives learned the deceased boy lived in the home with his mother and father, and there were six other minor children also living in the home.

Detectives determined the home was unfit for children and all six of the children were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.

The investigation is ongoing. An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause and manner of the child’s death.