Police say 6-year-old boy stabbed 2-year-old brother to death in Joliet, Illinois
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- A 6-year-old boy stabbed his 2-year-old brother to death in Joliet late Friday afternoon, police said.
Joliet police were called at 5:04 p.m. to the 2700 block of Fairway Drive, near Pembroke Road, for a child who had been stabbed. They found the 2-year-old boy in the house with multiple stab wounds, police said.
A preliminary investigation determined the toddler had been stabbed with a kitchen knife by his 6-year-old brother, police said. The stabbing was believed to have happened in a family or TV room.
The 2-year-old was taken to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet in an ambulance. He died at the hospital, police said.
Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English said the children's mother and grandmother were home at the time of the stabbing, and the mother called 911 upon finding the boy.
English was not sure if there were other children in the home besides the two brothers.
Numerous questions remained Friday night about what exactly happened. Detectives late Friday were still trying to determine what led up to and precipitated the incident. But English said it was likely that the answers there might never come.
English said the 6-year-old was at the police station with officers late Friday, and his grandfather was believed to be there with him.
Police said the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been notified and is investigating. Given the nature of the children involved, it is not yet clear what the next steps may be.
"It's a very fluid investigation, and you know, it's important to state that our hearts go out to this family—because, in our opinion, everyone in this incident is a victim," said Sgt. English.
An autopsy was performed on Saturday. The final cause and manner will be determined following the autopsy, police, and toxicological report. However, it is the policy of the Will County Coroner not to release the names involving juvenile death investigations.
Custody for the 6-year-old was transferred to DCFS, which coordinated with the Will County Health Department Screening
Assessment Support Services to have the child transported by ambulance to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.
English urged the public to be patient with the investigation and to withhold judgment.