Toddler death probe complete

SANDPOINT - The investigation into the suspected heatstroke death of a toddler last month is in the hands of the Bonner County Prosecutor's Office, sheriff's officials say.

"Everything's been turned over to the prosecutor's office and they'll make a determination on charges," said sheriff's Capt. Ror Lakewold.

Lakewold said a decision on whether criminal charges will be pursued is expected in the next couple of weeks.

The 3-year-old boy was found unconscious in a parked vehicle north of Spirit Lake on June 11. Efforts to revive the boy were not successful.

Sheriff's officials said the boy was inside a home with his mother and her boyfriend in the 100 block of Walden Lane. At some point, both fell asleep in the home after reportedly working nighttime jobs.

The boy was watching television in the home, but went outside to play with his two dogs. The boy and dogs entered a vehicle in the driveway, but the boy was unable to exit it, according to sheriff's officials.

The dogs in the vehicle also perished, sheriff's officials said.

Lakewold said the cause of death is listed as undetermined, but the presumption is that the boy died of hyperthermia.

"It's not unusual for us to have some indication of a cause of death and not get a determined cause of death from the autopsy," said Lakewold.

The child's biological father was out of state at the time of the death.

If criminal charges are brought, they could range from injury to a child to involuntary manslaughter. Lakewold said the case was forwarded to the prosecutor's office without a recommendation on charges.