8-year-old girl found hanging

[Unamused Cat]

Story w/video: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5173736.story

n 8-year-old Rialto girl died after her grandmother found her hanging from a belt in her bedroom, police said today.

The girl was last seen going into her room to do homework at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, said Rialto Police Lt. Joe Cirilo. After not hearing from her for awhile, the child's grandmother knocked on the door but found it locked.

"She jimmied open the door and found the child hanging from a bunk bed with a belt around her neck," Cirilo said.

When police arrived at 7:05 p.m. they found the girl lying on the floor and administered CPR. The child was pronounced dead at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

Cirilo said details of the incident remain murky.

"We cannot discount that it was suicide or that it was an accident," he said. "There is no evidence of foul play." An autopsy is pending.

Police said the girl's grandmother and two sisters, ages 11 and 13, were in the North Alice Avenue house at the time of the incident. Investigators are questioning family members and others who might provide clues into the death. Police also obtained search warrants to examine computers and cell phones in the home.

"We are trying to cover all the bases," Cirilo said. "This is a real tragic incident for this family."

[Sister Iroz]

Like to hear more after checking some things from puter and such. I just can't see an 8 year old hanging themselves.

[petrina]

yeah, that just smells odd to me. unless she saw the behavior somewhere else and was trying it while alone. but... where would she have seen it and why and who with is the question i guess.

[TC-JAV]

Wonder if this had anything to do with it:http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsh...n29/choke.html

[Silvahalo]

How very sad. What ever the case may be the outcome is the same...a very young girl is dead.

[sweetlulu]

Wonder if this had anything to do with it:http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsh...n29/choke.html

That is exactly what I was thinking she might have done. Kids will hear about and try anything if someone tells them it is fun.

[blue_zombie]

With children that young, parents and guardians need to be super involved and know what games their children are playing. It's called communication. You always hear about the crazy things kids are up too, which is why you need to talk to them and find out what they are up too. I know it's hard, but you have got to be on top of it! Poor girl. I suspect foul play, that just doesn't make sense to me.

[crickett]

Wonder if this had anything to do with it:http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsh...n29/choke.html

It may be, but I think that this child is a little too young for this. It would have made more sense if she was 11 or 13. I wonder if perhaps one of her sisters had done this or told her about it.

[Zibarro]

Rialto girl's hanging death still a mystery



By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise

RIALTO - An autopsy Friday of an 8-year-old Rialto girl found hanged in her bedroom did not immediately indicate if she died by accident or committed suicide, police said.

Further tests and interviews will be required before investigators can confidently state the young girl's cause of death, said Rialto police Lt. Joe Cirilo. Foul play has been ruled out, he added.

The girl was found shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, hanging from her bunk bed by a bathrobe belt, Cirilo said.

"We still have unfinished business," Cirilo said. "We cannot clearly state that this was a suicide or an accident."

Although the girl had locked her bedroom door, investigators are making no assumptions. No suicide note was found and interviews with family members did not indicate she had ever discussed taking her life, Cirilo said.

The girl had been scolded in the past for jumping on her bunk bed, and locking the door could simply have been an effort not to get caught horsing around, Cirilo said. Investigators are also looking into the possibility she was using the belt and clothes to play dress up.

"We don't want to get caught in speculation," Cirilo said. "Unfortunately the only person who could indicate her intent would be the little girl."

The San Bernardino County coroner's autopsy showed death by asphyxiation, Cirilo said. The girl's grandmother said she last saw the girl about an hour earlier, when the girl told her she was going to her room to do homework, Cirilo said.

The girl attended Morgan Elementary School, where officials said she showed much promise.

"This is not a good time for this family and this community," Cirilo said. "How can anyone make sense out of this?

So... at least they've ruled out foul play.
So, so tragic. Whether an accident or unfortunate suicide... (which I doubt). Yes, 8 yr. olds get depressed... but they are normally not "savvy" enough to hide the symptoms or "put on a happy face." Seeing as she didn't seem upset, depressed, left no note and didn't say anything to anyone... I'm really leaning towards an accident.
I pray this family finds peace and can move forward from this.
Poor kid.