Autopsy ordered in 6-year-old’s death

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

LEVY

The unexplained death of a 6-year-old girl Saturday night has police relying on medical pathologists to determine what led to the child’s untimely passing.

However, discovering the cause of the girl’s death could take a while as State Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Levy is having to wait for the results of toxicology and other medical reports before determing what caused the girl’s death.

The girl passed away unexpectedly Saturday at her home on Kings Ridge Road in the northern part of the city. First responders and ambulance personnel arrived at the residence after dispatchers received a call there was a child not breathing at the home. Attempts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful.

According to McMinnville Police Lt. Investigator Derwin Adcock, it is too early to say what caused the child’s death.

“We consider this an unusual death,” Adcock said. “But, it’s unusual because of the girl’s age and the fact her cause of her death is not readily available. The case will remain under investigation until we can determine a cause of death.”

District Attorney General Dale Potter, who spoke with Dr. Levy Tuesday, said the medical examiner will be looking at several areas in order to determine the cause of death, one of which will be a toxicology report which takes time to compile.

“It could be a few weeks before we know anything definite,” Potter said. “The autopsy is finished. Now they are awaiting the results of the numerous tests they do and due to the nature of the tests, it can take a while.”