The boy's body had up to 40 injury marks on it, said Gary police Sgt. William Fazekas, supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit and lead investigator in the case.
Some of the marks may have been from past injuries, Fazekas said.
<snip>
His death was caused by trauma to the body so severe it shocked even longtime law enforcement officials.
"Leon had been reported missing from the house on Sunday but was found in an abandoned building and returned home, Fazekas said.
"They reported him missing, but there was no sign of wrong play at that time," Fazekas said.
Full story at link:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/96f009fb-bb29-5866-ab18-34e76483ceac.html
Above article also indicates other children aged 1-13 have been removed from the home.
It is incomprehendable how there was "no sign of wrong play" on this childs body 3-4 days prior to his being found badly beaten in his own home. Surely the coroner could determine the age of bruising and scars.
So we know neighbors possibly failed this child. However, neigbors are not mandatory reporters. There were other school age children in the home, did they attempt to tell anyone what was going on at home?
LE. What determination did LE make early Sunday morning when this child ran away and was found sleeping in an abandoned home that it was SAFE for this child to go home? What about a 5 yr old child running away and choosing to walk into and go to sleep in an abandoned home is NOT alarming to LE something might not be alright at home? Is it just me or does anyone get the feeling LE really missed the mark when this child was found -still alive- in the early hours of Sunday morning and decided it was safe for this child to go home? If LE missed the mark, what is their repercussion? The boy is dead, there is no going back in time to make a better decision.
This childs biological mother has been fully ruled out as as suspect (according to the earlier local news broadcast at 6pm, forget which channel) because she is currently in rehab and it sounded like she had been for some time. (at least she was trying to get herself some help.)
I think it is very possible this boys bio mom might have one heck of a civil lawsuit against LE for not protecting her child... amongst the other things that will come out regarding this case in due time.
Nobody heard this child being beat?
Un-believable.
RIP Leon. You are safe in Jesus arms now where no one will ever beat or harm you again. I just wish someone would have gotten you out of that environment before it led to this.....
