Toddler survives alone for days after his mother and baby brother choked to death

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October 7, 2015 1:43 PM

A toddler was found alone and scavenging for food and water in his home after both his mum and baby brother both tragically died.

Erika Tomassian

A toddler was found alone and scavenging for food and water in his home after both his mum and baby brother both tragically died.

The 2-year-old boy was found wandering around helplessly and severely dehydrated by police following reports from a neighbour about a crying child.

His mother Erika Tomassian died while feeding her adopted baby Michael, who then also died from choking on a piece of food while in his high chair.

LAPD spokeswoman Liliana Preciado told the Daily News: "It's very sad. the toddler [Nathan] was fending for himself, opening drawers and trying to find food."

Nathan was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is reportedly in a stable condition.

He is thought to have been alone with the bodies of his mum and brother for two days.

Erika was found dead in a seated position on the floor at the Hollywood apartment, the Daily News reported.

The body of the youngster's one-year-old brother was found strapped into a chair nearby, KTLA reported.

Police in Los Angeles did not release any identities, but neighbours named the mother and said she had recently adopted the boys, named as Nathan and younger brother Michael.

Authorities said she was raising the boys alone.

Firefighters broke into the apartment through a second floor window, where they found the tragic family around 3pm on Monday.

The cause of death for Ms Tomassian, who is believed to have been around 45 years old, is as yet unclear.

Baby Michael choked to death on food, Preciado said. His death was ruled accidental, and there was no evidence of foul play.

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