With wracking sobs and emotional embraces, the family and neighbors of a toddler who died Wednesday morning congregated outside the Denver apartment building where he lived while police investigated the scene.
Officials say the 23-month-old boy was taken to a hospital with serious injuries by a private vehicle around 8:35 a.m. and pronounced dead Wednesday morning.
Police would not say whether they know who took the child to the hospital and whether that person stayed. Results of an autopsy on the toddler were not released.
Their investigation led police to the apartments in the 1700 block of Franklin Street.
Earl Lampley was outside the apartments and said he was the deceased child’s grandfather.
Through tears, Lampley explained how he had just gone on vacation to Ohio with the toddler and his siblings.
“I’m glad he got a chance to go,” Lampley said. “He was a playful little boy.”
Lampley said he has had previous concerns about his grandchildren’s safety.
Tiffani Anderson-McKinney was also outside the apartment building at 1705 Franklin St. as police investigated.
She said she is the deceased child’s aunt and that the mother, Candice Lampley, and her boyfriend are good to the children.
“She’s a good parent. She loves her kids. The boyfriend never hit the kids. He’s more their dad than their real dad,” she said.
“My nephew meant the world to everybody,” she said. “He was a happy baby.”
She said there were four children in the family and they lived in the Franklin Street apartment.
Friday morning police interviewed family members at a police station. No suspects have been named.
Earlier Wednesday Denver police found a vehicle they were seeking in connection with the boy’s death. Officials said children associated with the car have also been located and are OK.
A police spokeswoman did not explain how the vehicle was connected to the investigation or where it was found.
Elizabeth Hernandez: 303-954-1223, ehernandez@denverpost.com or
