A two-year-old starved to death after the toddler's father suddenly died at their home in Geneva, New York.
According to a press release by Ontario County Sheriff's Office, the bodies of 59-year-old David Conde Sr. and his son were discovered in their Hamilton street apartment back in February.
At the time, officials reported that they could not determine a cause of death due to the fact that neither of them had any obvious injuries or trauma that could have been a point of investigation. However, nine months later, their cause of death has been revealed.
As per NBC News, the father died naturally from "cardiovascular disease," while the little toddler died from starvation, with his death being ruled as "accidental" by the sheriff’s department.
Investigators also added that there were no signs of forced entry or foul play in the apartment.
"It is believed that Mr. Conde passed away first, and the child was not able to obtain any nourishment after his father passed," the statement concluded.
The Democrat & Chronicle reported that the door was still locked when authorities turned up at David Conde Sr.'s apartment after someone requested a welfare check on the pair. Deputies were forced to break into the home after there was no response from anyone inside.
According to Ontario County Sheriff department officer, David Cirencione, the apartment was in a clean condition with plenty of food and necessities for the child when it was found. After spending some time looking around, the authorities stumbled across Conde Sr. and his son in the bedroom, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
"There were no signs of a struggle in the residence," Cirencione said. "We do not have any reason to believe anybody else was in the apartment when these two passed away."
Initially investigators did not know what caused the deaths of either victim, but the department did say that they would "do everything [they] can to get answers for the family so they can get closure."
After toxicology report results were confirmed nine months later, it was finally established that David Conde Sr. died due to a heart-related disease while his two-year-old son had unfortunately starved to death.
When the investigation was officially closed earlier this week, memorials for both victims were held. Conde Jr.'s obituary describes him as "a beautiful baby boy with curly locks, that had a determined smile and sweet disposition."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this extremely difficult time.