Toddler’s Death Ruled Homicide
By Robert Rizzuto rrizzuto@post-journal.com
POSTED: October 24, 2009
Article Photos
The death of a 2-year-old Jamestown boy, Auston Morales, has been ruled a homicide, according to Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley.
"I have received the full autopsy report and the boy's death has officially been ruled a homicide," he said. "But I can't release any further information about the report and its findings at this time."
According to a news release issued by the Jamestown Police Department on Tuesday, a 911 call was made on Oct. 16 around 1:10 p.m., that reported a young boy, Morales, was not breathing and unresponsive.
EMTs arrived at 24 W. Eighth St. in the city and took the child to WCA Hospital. The boy was later taken by Starflight to Children's Hospital in Buffalo, where he passed away Saturday evening.
The boy's father, 31-year-old Agustin Morales, was taken into custody a short time later on an active warrant charging him with endangering the welfare of a child, which is unrelated to the child's death and stems from a previous incident.
The elder Morales is still in the Chautauqua County Jail on the warrant and is being held in lieu of $30,000 cash bail or $60,000 property bond.
Foley reiterated that so far in this case, no one has been charged with anything related to the death of the young boy but added that his office and detectives at the JPD are still working on the case every day.
"We are still working to put all the pieces of the puzzle together," Foley said, "and I will be meeting with the JPD early next week to discuss the case further."
Steve Wickmark, county Social Services commissioner, confirmed earlier this week that the department is investigating the death as well, although he couldn't confirm whether or not CPS was or has ever been involved with the family. Although Wickmark couldn't discuss this specific case, he did explain that Social Services only gets involved in death investigations when a situation involves parents or other adults responsible for a child and the youth who died.
The JPD is asking anyone with information to call the detective's bureau at 483-7537 or the department's tip line at 483-TIPS. Information can also be submitted online on Facebook, MySpace or via e-mail at jpdfio@yahoo.com and all information can be submitted anonymously.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-25 |26-50 |51-75 |76-100 |101-125 |126-150 |151-175 |176-200 |201-203 | Post a comment
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lovey06
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10-25-09 9:08 AM
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how ironic that on today's front page Jeremy Smathers was arrested for trying to abduct a girl! what the heck is this town made up of?? RIP baby Auston. The dad should be in jail and jeremy smathers should be right there with him. 2 scumbags off the streets.
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UncleMickROCNY585
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10-25-09 8:57 AM
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Listen you guys my nephews family went to the wake I was there why we didn't stay for the funeral because we were the one that supposely was going to act disrepectful but there were people there that had problems with their mouth and eyes so to avoid any issues in a time of grieving we decided to leave with class and respect. So again lets get the facts right. RIP Auston and Jun have faith that the truth will come out.
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dowefuckemandhow
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10-25-09 3:42 AM
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And about the funeral, the post journal said it was postponed for an ongoing investigation, mostlikely so that the fathers family wasnt awhere of it obviously to make them look bad. So we dont want to hear that know one cared, or know one loved auston or didnt want to go for any reason because thats not true. People are just so*****judgmental and they only want people to believe that the biomom is a "wonderful mom" Now whos to blame? Dont get the facts twisted. A molester will aways be a molester no matter what the age is. 2 4 6 8 yea you get picture right?
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dowefuckemandhow
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10-25-09 3:24 AM
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The petifile list is not for dating for one. The only reason they wanted the deceitful biomom was for her children. She has dated two petifiles that people know of, the last one who was jermey s, convicted of a 13 year old and to top it off he is in sundays paper for attempting to forcably rape another victim holding a gun to her. God help us all. It dont matter what age the victim is, its still a victim of a dangerous being. The biomom didnt give two ***** about auston but unlike her older son was favored more by her family members. Auston was always being handed over, to jr and karen, so that she didnt have to deal with him, she said in her own words that she couldnt stand him. So what does that tell you. Auston was always happy with jr and karen, he was always smiling, and included into everything. Karen treated him as if he was her own. Ive known them for years and hung around them for days on end and not once did i see any signs of abuse to any of the children.
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LOVINGMOTHER
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10-25-09 12:47 AM
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RIP AUSTON JAY MORALES... LOVED AND MISSED BY ALL...
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LOVINGMOTHER
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10-25-09 12:43 AM
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there were alot of mistakes made in regards to what happened to auston but nobody on this comment page have all the details so how can you say who did it or whose fault it was... LET THE JPD DO THERE JOB... LET THE FAMILY MOURN WITHOUT ALL THE B.S. THIS TOWN IS TALKING
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LOVINGMOTHER
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10-25-09 12:38 AM
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Im so glad that jamestown gets to decide whose guilty, whose innocent, and what happened to auston... karen is a great mom and ive never seen mr. morales ever strike a child and i was there often... and what about the other children involved there not beaten... finger pointing is wrong let the jpd do there job...
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1TIMEALWAYS
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10-25-09 12:08 AM
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R.I.P. AUSTON U WILL ALWAYS B LOVED AND MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN!! BUT U R IN A BETTER PLACE NOW IN GODS HANDS U WILL NEVER HAVE TO SUFFER AGAIN FOR N E THING!!
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1TIMEALWAYS
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10-25-09 12:07 AM
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NO1 IS PERFECT AND NO1 WILL EVER B PERFECT NO MATTER WUT!! ACCIDENTS SO HAPPEN YEAH BUT KILLING A CHILD NO THATS NO ACCIDENT!! YEAH WHO EVER DID IT WILL PAY!! THE KID WAS BEATEN TO DEATH YEAH BUT WHOSE TO SAY THAT THE RUMOR ABOUT JR FALLING WITH AUSTON IN HIS ARMS ISNT TRUE?? WUT IF IT REALLY DID HAPPEN?? WUT IF IT WAS REALLY AN ACCIDENT?? WUT IF THE OLD MARKS ON HIM WERE FROM PLAYING?? U CANT TELL ME A 2 YEAR OLD DONT GET HURT FROM PLAYING!! IM NOT TAKING SIDES FOR EITHER MONICA OR JR YEAH THEY BOTH R IN THE WRONG AND SO ISNT THE FAMILIES!! NO1 EVER THINKS THIS IS GUNNA HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS!! WUT IF IT WAS U AND UR FAMILY GOING THRU THIS AND NOT MONICA AND HER FAMILY OR JR AND HIS FAMILY WOULD U LIKE TO LOOK AT THESE BLOGS AND C WUT PPL R SAYING ABOUT U?? THINK ABOUT IT!! LEAVE BOTH OF THE FAMILIES ALONE!! NO1 WAS THERE BUT AUSTON AND HIS FATHER!! JUST CUZ KAREN WASNT THERE WHEN "IT HAPPEND" DOESNT MEAN N E THING!!
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1TIMEALWAYS
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10-24-09 11:59 PM
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OK LOOK FOR 1 U ALL SIT THERE AND DOWN TALK MONICA NO SHE WASNT THERE TO PROTECT HER SON YEAH SHE FAILED TO DO WRONG THERE!! BUT NONE OF US WERE THERE EITHER!! IF JR WAS SUPPOSED TO B SUPERVICED WHERE WAS THE SUPERVICOR?? THEY ALL FAILED TO PROTECT AUSTON!! EVERY1 NEEDS TO STOP BLAIMING PPL NO1 WAS THERE TO C WUT HAPPEND TO HIM TO KNO WUT REALLY HAPPEND OR WHO DID IT JUST FACE IT NO1 WILL REALLY KNO WUT HAPPEND:[ I USED TO CHILL WITH MONICA A COUPLE YEARS AGO B4 SHE HAD HER OLDEST KID SHE IS NOT A BAD PERSON!! IDK JR SO I CANT SAY N E THING ABOUT HIM!! BUT AS I DO HEAR HE IS A GOOD FATHER DOES HIS BEST TO CARE FOR HIS KIDS!! AND FOR ALL OF U PARENTS OUT THERE TALKING TRASH!! NEED TO STOP DOWN TALKING ON MONICA CUZ REALLY SHE WANTED A FATHER FOR HER SON AND JR WANTED TO B THERE FOR HIM!! UNLIKE MOST FATHERS.. I DROVE AND WALKED MY MONICA'S MOMS HOUSE ALL THE TIME EVERYDAY SHE WAS ALWAYS WITH HER KIDS EVERYTIME I SEEN HER SHE HAD BOTH OF HER KIDS AND I SEEN HER ALL THE TIME!!
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UncleMickROCNY585
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10-24-09 9:05 PM
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So now that more information is coming up you guys that know this past information from that town, should call the detective because if the injuries were old before baby Auston may he RIP was dropped of to my nephew, you could help put the missing pieces together. By the way I saw Jeremy S. on the registry he should be investigated, to me he is a ****** of **** and I hope to GOD he does not have anything to do with this and my nephew is the fall guy in this horrible situation, knowing that his son is not suppose to be with him he did the samething I would have done, and that is to care for my son, I would have call the police and the doctors when he was first dropped off that is the only mistake I see that was done. So, call the detective and report what you know.
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cjcoda
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10-24-09 8:55 PM
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where was the mother protecting her child she should of never left him with him for so long. yes she has to live with this but this little child does not get to live for her mistakes he had to pay.
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poohbear6792
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10-24-09 8:50 PM
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There was no order of protection against Autin and his father.There was supposed to be supervised visits.So where was the person who was to be supervising.
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cjcoda
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10-24-09 8:40 PM
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If she was such a good mother why would she leave him with someone that had a order to stay away from him. Oh let me guess she forgot about that when she left him there.
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poohbear6792
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10-24-09 8:36 PM
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All i have to say is everyone needs to back of Monica.She is a good mother.She would never have left Austin with his father if she knew he would hurt him.She is hurting now for the loss of her son.None of us r perfect parents.So why r u judging her.We have no right to judge her.How would u feel if it happened to u.Everyone just leave Monica alone.
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poohbear6792
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10-24-09 8:31 PM
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Ok jsut to let all of you know that r talkin trash about Monica.No she was far from being a bad mother.And as far as Jeremy goes he is not a danger to children.He is a offender b cuz of 2 girls that were 16. He is not a threat 2 kids.If he was the courts would not have let him have unsupervised visits with his daughter.So there leave him out of this.Monica is a wonderful mom.She just thought she could trust Austin's father 2 help her b cuz she needed help.She never thought he would hurt him.and his casket didn't have his name or angels on it.People need not to say anything if they don't know what they r talkin about.That's all i got to say.I luv you Monica and God Bless u.Your friend ashley
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CrystalC22
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10-24-09 8:07 PM
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that man was not a child molester he had sex with a 16 yr old. doesnt have anything to o with babies. 2nd we dont know if junior did this. 3rd he was with junior for 2 weeks not months. momof1 you do not know the facts please leave it alone.
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cjcoda
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10-24-09 7:43 PM
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yes we all make mistakes. NOT at the cost of our child's life.
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mamalis
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10-24-09 7:20 PM
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To all of you ignorant people that do not know the truth I say shame on you for posting comments like you have. No one knew Austin like his family and what a bright, happy child he was. Monica WAS at her baby's funeral and literally fell on the floor at the foot of his casket mourning the loss of that precious baby boy. As far as Mr. Morales if he did do this he will pay for what he's done. The Lord will make sure of that not anyone else. I'm defending Monica because everyone makes mistakes not one of us is perfect and anyone that has not made a mistake let them throw the first stone. Austin is in the arms of Jesus now, He takes care of all the little children and he is in a better place and no longer has to suffer in this evil world or at the hands of the individual that did this to him. God is the Most High and will JUDGE. Monica keep ur chin up, we as a family are here for you no matter what honey. Back off everyone and don't impede this investigation. Know the TRUTH.
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cjcoda
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10-24-09 4:08 PM
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If just one of you that are so quick to defend these child abusers were as quick to defend this little angel maybe he would be here today. So I hope you all sleep good tonight thinking that you could of saved his life.
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MKnott83
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10-24-09 3:21 PM
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If Junior and Karen abused this lil boy all the time, why is it that when he was at my house not even 2 weeks ago he was the happiest lil boy i have ever seen. Most children that are abused aren't very happy and don't want to be near the person who is doing it to them. He was smiling, laughing, playing, and was so far up Junior and Karens butts that it was hard to tell where they ended and Auston began. That doesn't sound like a severely abused and beaten child.
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MKnott83
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10-24-09 3:17 PM
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I have a friend that just lost her lil 2 yr old boy to a pond drowning. Does that make her a monster and responsible for his death too? Nobody knows what actually happended to lil Auston yet, so until it whom ever it was that did something to this lil boy is proven guilty u all NEED to just back off. None of u are in any of their shoes right now, so how can u judge any of them. Just so all of u know, Junior was working. Not just one job, but 2. Its hard for someone of his minority to find a decent job to support his family. Who cares how many children he has. Hes not on trial for anything yet, so stop acting as if all of u have a say in what will happen to any of them. Regaurdless of what any of u say, i truely don't believe that Junior nor Karen did anything to that lil boy to harm him.
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MKnott83
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10-24-09 3:08 PM
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All of u really need to stop pointing fingers at everyone. Sure, none of them are perfect, but none of us are. Everyone makes mistakes, so why is it that the mistakes that these guys have made are so unforgiveable? Yes, lil innocent Auston is gone now. It is a shame and never should have happened. Apparently GOD wanted him and it was his time. Im not sticking up for anyone, but I know that Junior did not beat that baby to death. He doesn't abuse any of his children, regaurdless of what he is in jail for. Hes in there for a previous matter that most of u have no clue what that involoves. He plead guilty to something that was medically proven that was not Juniors fault. Why don't all of u people that are talking trash stop doing so until it is PROVEN who did what to that lil boy.
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UncleMickROCNY585
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10-24-09 2:41 PM
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Listen you guys are so angry that you are letting your emotions run wild and not waiting for the truth to come out. For you guys that are talking*****I did live there for awhile but it was a place that did not breath any type of growth whatsoever. All of you that have a problem and love making comments I was standing outside the house for 3 hrs why nobody said anything then. Let this happenn to one of your family members, I hope you would wanted the truth to come out before they were judged.
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lovingparent
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10-24-09 2:03 PM
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AMEN!
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