Authorities announced Tuesday are investigating the death of a 1-month-old boy who was taken to a New York City hospital over the summer for malnutrition as a homicide.
Joseph Heben Jr. was taken to Staten Island University Hospital on July 20. Staff members told officers who were called to the hospital that the baby was "unconscious and unresponsive," the New York police said in a statement. He was later pronounced dead.
In an update Tuesday, police said the chief medical examiner's office had deemed the death a homicide. The medical examiner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
No one has been arrested, and the investigation continues, authorities said.
Police have released very few details about the case, including who took Joseph to the hospital. The New York Times reported that he died of malnutrition.
The Administration for Children’s Services said state confidentiality laws prohibit it from sharing certain details.
"The safety and well-being of New York City’s children is our top priority. As soon as this family came to our attention in July, we launched an immediate investigation with the NYPD," a spokesperson said.
