Authorities release cause of death of 5-year-old found in suitcase in Indiana

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) -- More than a month after a 5-year-old boy was found dead inside a suitcase in southern Indiana, authorities have identified his cause of death but are admittedly no closer to learning his identify, or how he came be be in the suitcase.

According to Sgt. Carey Huls of the Indiana State Police (ISP), the child died from an electrolyte imbalance, most likely due to gastroenteritis, which he said, in common language terms, would be vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration.

The toxicology report showed now foreign substances in his system, and he had no significant external injuries, according to Huls. He was found clean and clothed, and there is no indication he was placed in the suitcase alive.

"It's a very odd, tragic case," Huls said.

Medical director for Norton Children's Hospital, Mark McDonald, said this type of death leads to the body picking and choosing which organs it supplies fluids to.

"Usually the body tries to perfuse the most important when we get severe, and I'm talking severely dehydrated, the body will perfuse the brain and heart but then it kind of cuts perfusion to the kidneys and GI track," McDonald said. "You're delirious and eventually become unconscious."

McDonald also said dying from dehydration is uncommon for a a young child, unless in some type of neglect. It could also take several days to die from dehydration, depending on fluid intake.

"The only circumstances I would think a younger child to become so dehydrated they pass away is really if they're by themselves, left alone and didn't have the means to help themselves or someone around to help them," McDonald said.

For now, police are working the case as a death investigation, although that could change.

The announcement was made during a Friday afternoon news conference at the ISP post in Sellersburg.

ISP said the child's body was discovered by a mushroom hunter in Washington County in April. Investigators believe the child is a 5-year-old Black boy, but they still don't know how or where he died.

Huls said they've also checked the national database for missing children, but so far, there have been no matches.

"Of the documented children that are missing on the missing children's lists across the country, at this point here's no match on any child that's listed as missing," said Huls.

Police also said they will not be releasing any rendering or drawing of the boy at this time.

"Sometimes those renderings can lead to misconceptions as well," said Huls. "They (detectives) feel it's in the best interest of the case not to do that."

Police have created a special tip line for people to share information about the child, 1-888-437-6432.

This story will be updated.

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