Autopsy Determines Toddler Was Murdered
MIDLOTHIAN, Ill. (STMW) - An autopsy Saturday determined a toddler who died Thursday was beaten to death.
Lavandis Hudson, of the 3600 block of West 147th Pl. in Midlothian, died of multiple blunt force injuries and child abuse, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Hudson's death was ruled a homicide.
Lavandis was pronounced dead at 1:45 p.m. Thursday at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the medical examiner's office.
Following his death, the state launched another investigation of the child's mother.
"We are investigating allegations of abuse and neglect against the mother in this family,'' said Dept. of Children and Family Services spokesman Kendall Marlowe.
Marlowe said the agency has had two previous investigations of the woman. One was "indicated or substantiated" in 2009, and the other was classified as a "pending investigation'' of abuse and neglect from last month.
Marlowe said one sibling has been placed in the care of a relative.
Midlothian Police Chief David Burke said police were notified at 2:30 p.m. Thursday of the death.
"This is an open case. We are checking on it,'' Burke said Friday.
The chief declined to say if they had recently been to the home for any reason.
Burke could not be reached immediately Saturday for further comment.
© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
