New Details Surface After 5-Year-Old Dies In Waterford

WATERFORD, CT — A 5-year-old boy who died in a family vehicle Thursday was last seen two hours before he was found, according to police. The boy's death in the Quaker Hill section of town is under investigation after he was found unresponsive.

Police were first called to investigate a missing child report but within 20 minutes they found the child "unresponsive" in a family vehicle on Maple Avenue, police said.

His last name is Bosselman, but his first name is being withheld by police.

The mother was home when the child went missing. He was last seen in the residence around 12:30 p.m., police said. The mother called police at 2:28 p.m. to report her son missing.

"Deaths involving children are always tragic events, the Waterford Police Department sends their condolences to the family at this time," said Chief Brett Mahoney.

Two Waterford Police officers removed the child from the vehicle and began CPR. They were later assisted by Quaker Hill firefighters and the Waterford Ambulance Service, but resuscitation efforts failed.

An autopsy was performed Friday by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The State's Attorney's Office in New London is assisting with the investigation. The Department of Children and Families has also been notified.

Police said they are investigating at "how the child got into the vehicle." "Trying to answer any questions as to the cause at this point would be pure guesswork and would not be fair to the family," police said. "We are not releasing the names of the family. We must give them time to process this terrible shock, and make contact with family and loved ones."

The police department’s Chaplains are with the family as we speak offering any assistance to cope with this tremendous loss.

There has been an outpouring of grief on social media about the tragic death.

"As a mother who has lost a son my heart goes out to the family no parent should ever have to bury their child ever. My thoughts and prayers to everyone who responded and was involved but especially my heart bleeds for this child's parents," wrote one woman on Facebook.

"So horrible for everyone involved..thoughts and prayers to everyone from parents, police, ems the doctors and nurses..this is a tough one for everyone involved," another woman wrote on Facebook.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waterford Police Department at 860-442-9451, or use our Police Department app – search “Waterford Police" on Apple or Google play to make an anonymous tip.

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