A Sydney mother living in Los Angeles in the U.S. has tragically died while feeding her infant son in his highchair.
Erika Tomassian, aged in her mid-40s, was feeding her one-year-old son, Michael when she died from natural causes. Michael, then choked on his food and died before help could arrive.
His older brother, two-year-old Nathan, was left unattended for two days before a neighbour was alerted to the toddler’s distressed cries and contacted authorities.
Lieutenant John Jenal from the Los Angeles Police Department told ABC7 of the discovery.
“[Police and firefighters] saw a mother on the floor who apparently was deceased from natural causes, and they saw a one-year-old that was strapped into a seat as though she had been feeding him deceased as well. It appeared that he had aspirated on some food.”
Nathan was found to be severely dehydrated and was rushed to hospital for treatment. He is now in a stable condition and authorities are seeking a new home for him.
It is understand that Erika Tomassian had recently adopted the two brothers.
“What adds tragedy to this is that this woman had just opened up her heart and her home to these two boys and adopted them,” said Lieutenant Jenal.
Police believe that Tomassian died from complications associated with bronchitis that she was receiving treatment for.
