JSO investigating death of 7-year-old boy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 7-year-old boy was found dead at an apartment in the Hogan's Creek area of Jacksonville Saturday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Officers were called to N. Broad Street around 7:45 p.m. to help Fire-Rescue. Officers said they found the body of a 7-year-old boy inside an apartment.

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Officers said his cause of death is unknown and homicide detectives are investigating because the incident is an "unnatural" event.

Neighbors were shocked to hear of the death.

"I feel bad for her family. My prayers go out to them," said Samantha Rodgers, "I actually wasn't even here when we found out what happened. It's pretty sad, I wouldn't know what to do. Honestly"

"I was like in a state of shock, I was like huh? What's going on. It made me go into the house and grab my kids," said Tia Lia.

JSO said the manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner.  

Lia spoke with the boys uncle, he told her the family was at home watching a movie when the boy went upstairs.

"I guess when they went to check on him, they may have found him," said Lia, "I told him that me and my mom would support him, cook, bring food. I just gave him a hug and said sorry for your loss. He was like, 'Man, my nephew, my nephew.'"

News4Jax reached out to the Department of Children and Families to see if it it was involved in the investigation. It says JSO would reach out to them if it suspects any type of child abuse. At that point, DCF would speak with neighbors and family members and then share its findings with JSO and the State Attorneys office.

DCF is not involved at this point.

"She lost her child. My heart is going out to her. She lost of her son, I don't know what I would do if I were to lose one of my kids. I don't know if I could be sane," said Lia. "It just makes me want to be closer and closer to my kids. Do more activities with them so they can stay busy, and so I can watch them."