A 2-year-old died after an apparent medical emergency in the Massachusetts home of a disgraced police lieutenant and foster father — who is in jail on child rape charges, according to reports.
The girl’s mom called 911 Friday after finding the child unresponsive in Winthrop, about 20 minutes west of Boston.
With no ambulance immediately available, Fire Chief Scott Wiley rushed the toddler in the back of his SUV to Massachusetts General Hospital as two EMTs gave her aid, NBC10 Boston reported.
She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The initial investigation indicates no signs of foul play or physical trauma, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office said in a statement on Friday.
The child was found in the home of former Winthrop Police Lieutenant James Feeley, who was arrested in December, initial reports state.
The girl’s identity has not yet been released and authorities have not commented on any connection between Feeley and the toddler.
Feeley, who was a foster parent with the state Department of Children and Families, is charged with rape, indecent assault and battery of a child younger than 12 years old, according to reports.
He reportedly confessed, but pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Dec. 27.
A preliminary investigation suggests the toddler who died had been sick in recent days, CBS reported.
“Any event like this is extremely tragic for the family, as well as for the first responders,” Delehanty said, according to WCVB.
“The fire department has done a heroic job today and made decisive decisions under emergency conditions to get this child the medical treatment necessary as soon as possible, and we thank them for their service,” Winthrop Police Chief Terance Delehanty told reporters
Feeley confess that he had sexually assaulted a child multiple times, with the abuse starting about a year ago, according to a complaint.
Delehanty said Feeley, who was previously on administrative leave, is no longer employed by the department.