Suspicion is part of the job

The decision by Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office to not conduct an autopsy on the 7-year-old Monroe boy identified as “A.J.” is disturbing, and made worse with the knowledge that a Monroe Police detective specifically requested one, more than once.

According to court documents, A.J. was pronounced dead on Jan. 30 after his father brought him into the hospital emergency room unresponsive, nearly 40 minutes after he was found, The Herald reported Wednesday. In the days after the boy’s death, a detective called the medical examiner’s office at least twice to request an autopsy; a sergeant called, as well.

The detective tried to explain that he’d investigated the boy’s parents in a reckless endangerment case two years before.

State officials confirmed that a social worker witnessed at least one of the detective’s conversations with the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the detective mentioned Child Protective Services’ past involvement with the boy’s family, The Herald reported.

These requests for an autopsy were met with a “dismissive ‘no,’” said Monroe police spokeswoman Debbie Willis.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The Medical Examiner’s Office then ruled the boy’s death “low suspicion.” His body was released and cremated without an autopsy. Two weeks later, toxicology tests ordered by the medical examiner came back showing the boy died with lethal amounts of what appear to be over-the-counter painkillers in his system, according to court documents. Police are now investigating the death as a potential manslaughter.

The foremost question: How can a death be deemed “low suspicion” before the results of the toxicology tests come back? How can you release the body before the results come back? Why bother to order them?

In a county, state and nation where overdose deaths from prescription drugs continue to grow as the No. 1 cause of accidental deaths (from 2003 to 2008, the state death rate from overdose increased 90 percent, according to the state Department of Health) wouldn’t that be one of the immediate thoughts about an “unexplained” death? And shouldn’t a suspected overdose in a 7-year-old cause suspicion? An overdose in a child, even if “accidental,” needs investigating.

(Wouldn’t any unexplained death of a child make an autopsy mandatory, “suspicious” or not? It was only by investigating infant deaths that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was recognized, an important medical and legal discovery, since many parents were unfairly accused of wrongdoing in the deaths of their babies.)

A police investigation not withstanding, the Medical Examiner’s Office needs basic regulations. Such as, if police and CPS request an autopsy, one is performed. Not to do so would be deemed “highly suspicious.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, May 25

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A Lakewood Middle School eighth-grader (right) consults with Herald Opinion Editor Jon Bauer about the opinion essay he was writing for a class assignment. (Kristina Courtnage Bowman / Lakewood School District)
Youth Forum: Just what are those kids thinking?

A sample of opinion essays written by Lakewood Middle School eighth-graders as a class assignment.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks to reporters after returning from a meeting at the White House on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
Comment: Congress, over years, has become second-class branch

How Congress lost its constitutional clout and what it means for Americans and democracy.

Why do I protest? This is why

In the long four months of governing, the Trump administration has shown… Continue reading

For informed voters, cive the gift of news, information

A recent nationwide poll found that Donald Trump’s approval ratings were higher… Continue reading

Comment: U.S. diabetes epidemic is far more than medical issue

Much of it has to do with ‘red-lining,’ creating boundaries based on race and economic status.

Comment: Many veterans came home, fighting a war with addiction

Abuse of alcohol and drugs is common among vets, but services are available to individuals and families.

Comment: State worker pay raises behind $10B in tax increases

Gov. Ferguson missed his chance to pare tax increases that will hurt residents and businesses.

A visitor takes in the view of Twin Lakes from a second floor unit at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Housing Hope’s ‘Stone Soup’ recipe for community

With homelessness growing among seniors, an advocate calls for support of the nonprofit’s projects.

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

Forum: The magic created behind branches of weeping mulberry tree

The mature trees offer a ‘Secret Garden’-like room favored by children, one I hope to return to someday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.