A Dayton, Ohio, toddler has died after being found not breathing in a home filled with dead animals.
Fox 45 reports that grandparents of a 21-month-old girl, Arez Marie Isabella Schrodi, called 911 after finding her unresponsive when they went to the home Sunday to check on her. When police arrived, she was not breathing. They administrated CPR before taking her to Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she later died.
After surveying the conditions at the house, police called the local animal resource center; they reportedly removed several animals including a dog, a rabbit, and a boa constrictor. Police later confirmed there were 16 dead animals inside the home, according to Fox25. The dead animals included 15 snakes and one cat.
An autopsy was performed on Tuesday, though the cause of death is still pending, according to WHIO. A unnamed source, presumably from the medical examiner’s office, reportedly told WHIO “there are no signs of trauma to the baby’s body.”
Dayton police Lt. Gregg Gaby told the Dayton Daily News that the death was still under investigation.
“We don’t have anything as far as the cause of injuries and stuff, exactly,” he said.
No arrests have been made, however WHIO reports there is an open case involving a woman who lives in the same house where the girl was found.
KFOR reported there were four other children in the home. They were removed and put into child protective services. Police have not release any details on the ages or relationship of the children to one another, or to the toddler.
Mark Kumpf, executive director of the Animal Resource Center described the home as “not fit for animal or human habitation.”
Feature photo: WHIO video screenshot