The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation into a child's suspicious death inside a building in Irvington Township on Thursday afternoon.
According to a preliminary investigation, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Irvington Police and EMS were notified, then responded to reports of an injured child at 395 Union Avenue.
Upon arrival, EMS found an unconscious and unresponsive 3-year-old boy inside an apartment with at least one adult (male) inside.
Residents watching from their windows told RLS Media that EMS brought the child from the building, administering CPR ’on his limped and lifeless body.’
After a brief investigation by the Irvington Township Police, the incident was handed over to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office after they confirmed the child died a short time later from his 'unspecified' condition.
According to residents on Union Avenue, detectives stayed at the scene, collecting bags of evidence from the building. The adult male was placed in a prosecutor's office vehicle when the agency concluded the investigation inside the building around 9 p.m.
Residents say yesterday's police activity was a bit shocking since the Township administration and police have drastically improved the quality of life after enforcement swept the area of a local drug dealer and those who loiter on Union Avenue.
Irvington Township Mayor Tony Vauss said he could not release a comment on the active and ongoing investigation. Still, Mayor Vauss was saddened and expressed heartfelt condolences to the boy's family, then pointed all questions to The Essex County Prosecutor's Office, who has taken the lead in the case.
There were no other injuries or arrests immediately reported.