Mother arrested in connection with 10-year-old son's death
Officials with the South St. Paul police department have arrested a 42-year-old woman in connection with the murder of her son and attempted murder of her daughter.
The woman is being held at the Dakota County Jail pending formal charges by the Dakota County Attorney's Office.
Her 10-year-old son was found dead Monday afternoon inside his home at 716 First Ave. S., according to Police Chief Danny Vujovich.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and the mother is the primary suspect, according to Vujovich.
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"Based on evidence and statements gathering during the course of the investigation, the focus remains on the mother," Vujovich said earlier this week.
Vujovich said a 12-year-old girl was found unconscious and breathing. She was taken to Children's Hospital in St. Paul, where she is continuing to receive medical attention, Vujovich said.
The mother was taken to United Hospital, where she remained under police presence until Thursday morning when she was released and arrested.
A 16-year-old daughter who also lives in the home was not present at the time of the incident.
Results of an autopsy, conducted by the Dakota County medical examiner's office Tuesday to determine the exact cause of the boy's death, have not yet been released.
Vujovich said Dakota County Social Services is aware of the incident and is taking action to secure care for the two daughters.
Vujovich said the incident is still under investigation and would not elaborate on what type of injuries any of them suffered. On Tuesday, he said they were not gunshot wounds.