Death of a child requires autopsy

I am writing in response to the Aug. 1, 2012 article stating that CPS followed procedures regarding the death of A.J. on Jan. 30, 2012. (“Review of Monroe boy’s death shows chances to aid him”). My problem is not CPS. The responsibility lies with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office. My 20-year-old brother died in his sleep 40 years ago, and even if my parents did not want an autopsy, it would have been done anyway.

Apparently now, when a 7-year-old dies unexpectedly, the coroner just took his blood for testing and released him to a funeral home, where he was cremated. The coroner’s office stated they did not have enough information. What information did they need?

Unless the child was terminally ill, an autopsy should be mandatory. When officer Troy Meade shot Niles Meservey in the back numerous times, killing him, an autopsy was done. Why ignore a 7-year-old? My guess is his parents did not want an autopsy.

Phone calls from Monroe detectives fell on deaf ears. My issue is this: Autopsies are performed on murder victims, victims from car accidents, where the cause of death is obvious. The coroner’s office should be investigated, yet again. If they did their job by performing an autopsy on A.J., they could, with certainty, come to a conclusion how he died. An autopsy may have the same results of the blood test, but we will never know, because the coroner did not do his job.

A.J. was neglected in life and death, and I want to know why.

Kathy Petersen Lester

Everett