Abandoned Hospital Under Scrutiny After Teen's Death
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Questions still swirl around the long-abandoned Staten Island Hospital building, where 16-year-old Marcos Castillo fell seven floors to his death down an elevator shaft last Friday.
Members of Castillo's family are demanding answers as to why the property has remained so accessible for decades. The family says it has heard from no city officials. CBS2 reported they also tried to reach local New York City councilwoman Deborah Rose, but calls were not returned.
"Somebody has to break it out...and pull down that building," Jorge Rivera, Castillo's father, said.
Despite a belated effort to secure the site, it is still easy to access the property by climbing the front gate, or by accessing gaps along the side of the building. CBS2's Steve Langford reported.
The building has been abandoned for 36 years, according to officials -- but residents say it's become a popular hangout for teens. Property records on the city's Department of Finance website show no records of the building current owners.