EVANS, Colo.-
Authorities were waiting to learn the cause of death of a 7-year-old girl who weighed about 35 pounds before deciding whether to file charges.
LoReyna Barea was 4 feet tall, authorities said. She died after an aunt, whom she lived with, called 911 on March 9 to report the girl had been vomiting the day before, officials said.
An autopsy and toxicology tests were inconclusive, Weld County Deputy Coroner Chris Robillard said. Robillard said organ samples may offer clues into whether she died from illness or malnutrition.
“She was fairly underweight, but we don’t know what she looked like prior to her death,” he said. “She may have been of a very small stature to start with. But for her age and height, she was very small.”
LoReyna and four brothers were living with their aunt, Genevieve Barea, at the time of her death, Robillard said.
No phone listing was available for Genevieve Barea.
The four boys appeared to be in good health but were placed in protective custody, authorities said.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
