Father whose dead child was found beside him in a drug house dies days after being arrested

A Santa Rosa man who was arrested after the body of his 13-month-old son was found beside him over the weekend has himself died, officials said Tuesday.

Patrick Oneill, 29, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the child’s death after a woman reported she had found the two Saturday afternoon in the back bedroom of a house in the 200 block of Darek Drive. Police also found drugs and drug paraphernalia next to Oneill.

The child was not breathing when officials found him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene after medical personnel were unsuccessful in lifesaving efforts.

Officials said Oneill was hospitalized in serious condition but did not elaborate. He died Monday night.

“There were no signs of physical violence at the scene of the incident, but officers located signs of recent drug use next to where the child was discovered,” Lt. Dan Marincik wrote in a statement. “We are still collecting information to help determine the exact cause of death, but based on our investigation, we believe that Oneill’s actions caused the death of the 13-month-old child.”