Toddler survived for six days after mom died in Sacramento home

A 2-year-old boy survived on his own for six days after his mother died in their north Sacramento home, police said Thursday.

The child and his 36-year-old mother were discovered at 10:39 a.m. after police forced their way into the home on the 3000 block of Judah Street in the city's Hagginwood neighborhood, said police Officer Konrad Von Schoech.

A Sacramento County Child Protective Services worker went to check on the family Thursday morning because the mother suffered from chronic illness, Von Schoech said. When no one answered the door and the worker could hear the child crying inside, she called 911.

Police and firefighters arrived and got into the home, where they found the mother's body, Von Schoech said.

Investigators believe the boy was able to survive by eating food that was within his reach inside the home.

"At this point, we're looking at it as a miracle that this kid survived such a tragedy, especially with being locked in this house with no access to the outside world," Von Schoech said.

Police believe the mother had possibly been dead for six days. The little boy is undergoing medical tests and will be placed in protective custody, Von Schoech said.

"We're very fortunate the social worker went to check on the family when she did," Von Schoech said.

http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/1042951.html