A 5-year-old boy who was reported missing has died after he was found unresponsive in a family vehicle in Waterford Thursday afternoon and police are asking anyone who saw the child over a two-hour span that afternoon to call authorities.
The child had been home with his mother and he was last seen around 12:30 p.m., according to police, who said the mother was the initial caller and reported her son missing.
In a news release issued Thursday, police said officers were called to the home on Maple Avenue in Quaker Hill at 2:28 p.m. and 19 minutes later, after searching inside the home and out, they found the boy unresponsive in a family car.
Fire and EMS responded and tried to resuscitate the child, but were not successful. He pronounced dead on scene.
The child's cause of death has not been determined at this time. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been called in to assist. Police have not released the boy's name, but said the family name is Bosselman.
Investigators are looking into how the child got into the vehicle.
As mandated reporters, the Waterford Police Department contacted the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families regarding this incident.
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Police said an autopsy was performed Friday to determine cause of the child’s death.
Waterford police are continuing to work on the case, interviewing family member’s friends and neighbors. Police officials said the last time they remember a case of a death of someone so youing was 20 years ago.
"“Now that we’re exposed to some of the things they’re exposed to, you go home. You squeeze your daughters a little but tighter. You check on them. You make sure you kiss them at night," Hall said.
Police department chaplains David Moynihan and Kenny Hall are working with investigators and the family to navigate the tragedy.
Anyone one saw an unattended child in the area of Maple Avenue in Waterford between 12:30 p.m. and 2:28 p.m. Thursday or has any information on the case should call the Waterford Police Department Investigative Services at (860) 442-9451.
The New London State’s Attorney’s Office is involved in the investigation.
More information was not immediately available.
