Investigation underway into the ‘suspicious’ death of a 7-year-old – NJ.com

Newark police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office have launched an investigation after a 7-year-old boy died Monday under “sudden and suspicious” circumstances, authorities said.

In a statement, city Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said officers found the boy at a home in the South Ward when they responded to a call of a “sick or injured person” around 8 a.m.

The boy was unresponsive when police found him, Ambrose said, and he was later pronounced dead at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

Investigators have not made public any information about the suspected cause of the child’s death, named the victim or publicly identified any persons of interest in connection with the case.

Police did say that while the boy’s death remains under investigation, it appears to be an isolated incident.

Authorities have asked anyone with information about the case to call the police department’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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