Police in Hollywood found the body of Erika Tomassian along with baby Michael after it was discovered that two-year-old Nathan was left on his own and crying helplessly for days.
It turned out the toddler had been alone for several days inside the apartment after his mother passed away while feeding the baby, who then also died. Nathan was found to be severely dehydrated.
Concerned neighbors in the Hollywood apartment block had called police after hearing the child crying constantly. Local firefighters accessed the apartment Monday through a second floor window and on entering the apartment, officials found Tomassian, dead and in a seated position on the floor. One-year-old Michael was found strapped into a chair close by, dead after choking on his food.
According to News.com.au, while Los Angeles police officials did not release the family’s names, concerned neighbors told the media that the mother was Erika Tomassian and said she had recently adopted both boys, Nathan and his younger brother, Michael. According to authorities, Tomassian was raising the two boys alone.
A close neighbor, Estela Avendano, used to babysit the children and told KTLA5 that they were “wonderful people” and became very emotional over the situation.
While the cause of Tomassian’s death is still unclear, she is believed to have been around 45 years old.
LAPD spokeswoman Liliana Preciado told the New York Daily News that it was a very sad scene, as little Nathan was wandering around the apartment and apparently opening drawers, looking for food.
The Mirror Online quotes various media reports as saying Tomassian may have been suffering from bronchitis and police established she had visited her doctor some days before. Preciado added that Michael had choked to death on his food and that his death was ruled as accidental and there were reportedly no signs of foul play.
Nathan was taken to a nearby hospital where apparently he is in a stable condition after being alone for around two days. Reportedly authorities are trying to find him a new home.
