DA wants to know how boy, 5, died

Comments Comment on this article1

By Diana Baldwin
Published: August 14, 2007

EDMOND — The death of a 5-year-old Edmond boy is being called suspicious by the district attorney.

Advertisement

Declan Stewart died Saturday evening after Edmond police were told the boy fell in his closet and hit his head. The incident originally was labeled as an accident by Edmond police and fire officials, said Glynda Chu, police spokeswoman

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said, "We are looking forward to seeing the full investigation. We are waiting on the medical examiner.”

An autopsy on the boy had not been completed Monday afternoon.

George Johnson, Department of Human Services spokesman, said information about any child's death is protected by confidentiality laws unless charges are filed by the district attorney.

What happened
It is unclear who was in the home when the child was injured, but it was the boy's mother, Janet Stewart, who called for help. Paramedics said it appeared the boy fell about 3 to 4 feet in his closet and hit his head on a bed, according to a report released Monday.

Chu said emergency workers originally thought he only had a concussion.

Previous investigation
This boy was at the center of a child abuse investigation last year.

On Jan. 9, 2006, Oklahoma City and Edmond police were called when the boy was taken for treatment of injuries to his genital area and dehydration, a police report states.

In the 2006 case, Declan was taken to the Neighborhood Family Clinic, 5909 Northwest Expressway, and later transferred to The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, reports show. The boy, 3 years old at the time, was admitted to the hospital.

A Department of Human Service worker was called to the hospital and the boy was placed into protective custody, a police report shows.

Numerous attempts to reach Declan's family Monday by The Oklahoman were unsuccessful.


Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford
Bookmark and Share

Related Topics: Culture and Lifestyle, Fashion and Style, Men's Fashion


Comments

Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.

Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.

Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).

   
Imagine my horror when I read this incredibly sad story and found that the mother has my exact maiden name! A middle initial wasn't included, so I don't know if our names match exactly, but I grew up in Edmond, now live in OKC, and still have relatives who live in Edmond. I just want everyone to know that MY son is alive, healthy, happy and 12 years old and thank goodness doesn't live in Edmond, and my father is elderly and living in Edmond. I hope no one makes any sort of comments to him, as this would upset him, I'm sure. It's VERY unsettling to see your name, former or otherwise, in the paper associated with such an awful event. J Chrissy Rodriguez
J Chrissy, Oklahoma City - Aug 14, 2007 3:00 PM
Report as inappropriate