Coroner Rules Tot’s Death a Homicide

The Ventura County coroner ruled Wednesday that a 13-month-old Ojai boy’s death was homicide.

Family members told investigators that the boy died Sunday after falling on his head from a couch in his foster home. But deputy coroner Jim Wingate said the baby had signs of other injuries consistent with “battered child syndrome,” which led to the homicide ruling.

However, sheriff’s detectives still believe the baby died accidentally, said Cmdr. William Wade, head of the major crimes division.

“At the current stage of the investigation, the death appears to be accidental as the result of the fall,” Wade said.

Neither the Sheriff’s Department nor the coroner’s office could supply the child’s name late Wednesday.

The coroner’s report was forwarded to the district attorney’s office, and no charges had been filed by late Wednesday.