Parents said 4-year-old Palmdale boy drowned, medical professionals speculate otherwise

PALMDALE, Calif. (FOX 11) - Authorities Tuesday were investigating the "suspicious" death of a toddler in Palmdale.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, around 4 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to a home located in the 1200 block of E. Avenue S. in Palmdale after receiving a call for service reporting that a toddler had drowned in the pool.

The toddler, 4-year-old Noah Cuatro, was transported to a Los Angeles-based children's hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Medical professionals observed a trauma on the boy's body that was inconsistent with drowning, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a press conference.

"At this point, we don't have a lot of the facts clear," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Lt. Joe Mendoza said that the alleged drowning took place at the home of Noah's biological parents. Their identities have not been released at this time.

During Tuesday's press conference, Barger said that the county tries to reunite children in the foster care system with their biological parents. Investigators are working to determine whether this was the case with Noah.

Authorities believe there were previous reports to the Department of Children and Family Services concerning the welfare of Noah but said they are still working to receive those reports from DCSF.

In a statement to FOX 11 News, a DCSF representative said in part, "We join with the community in expressing our deep sadness over the tragic death of this child. In response to your request, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is unable to provide any information at this time. As you may know, state law protects the confidentiality of the children and families that come to the attention of child protective services."

At this time, no arrests have been made. Authorities said that the three other children inside the family's home are currently in protective custody.

Investigators said they are still in the early stages of determining what happened to Noah.