Police in Idaho responded to a call Thursday morning about a dead teen and found him, along with seven other children still alive, living in “deplorable conditions” in a home in Boise.
Boise Police said they were called shortly after 8 a.m. by a person who said they’d found their teenage son dead. The Ada County Coroner’s Office is working to determine the cause and manner of death.
Special Victims Unit Lt. Josiah Ransom described conditions inside the home as “deplorable, unsafe, and some of the worst” he has seen in his career. He said the home was not fit for habitation by anyone. The smell alone nauseated officers who responded.
“It is always troubling when a young person dies and our officers and detectives are working diligently to determine what factors may have contributed to this situation and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it,” said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. “We will not know until the investigation is complete if this teen’s death was due to an ongoing medical situation/complication, or some other contributing factor, and I express my sympathy for the passing of this young boy.”
The seven remaining children were taken into custody by the Department of Health and Welfare.
Investigators said “all those affiliated” with the home are cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been filed.
