BOISE, Idaho — The Boise Police Department (BPD) is investigating a young teen's death in Boise after getting a call from a caretaker that they had found their son dead in their home on W. Russett Street. Seven other children were also taken from the home and placed into custody with the Department of Health and Welfare.
BPD Special Victims Unit Lieutenant Josiah Ransom said the conditions were not fit for habitation by anyone and described the condition of the home as being "deplorable, unsafe, and some of the worst he has seen in his career."
Police have not yet determined the cause of death and no charges have been filed.
BPD said they received the call around 8:19 a.m. on Thursday, April 18 and that was when officers discovered the living situation. Police also said the smell of the home was nauseating.
"It is always troubling when a young person dies and our officers and detectives are working diligently to determine what factors may have contributed to this situation and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it. We will not know until the investigation is complete if this teen's death was due to an ongoing medical situation/complication, or some other contributing factor, and I express my sympathy for the passing of this young boy," Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said.
BPD said more details are expected to be released soon.
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