Authorities said Tuesday they are investigating the death of a 1-month-old baby boy, who was taken to a New York hospital this summer due to malnutrition as a homicide.
Joseph Heben Jr. was taken to Staten Island University Hospital on July 20. Officers were called to the hospital and informed by staff that the baby was “unconscious and unresponsive,” the New York City Police Department said in a statement. He was later pronounced dead.
In an update Tuesday, police said the Office of Chief Medical Examiner was treating the death as a homicide. The medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing, authorities said.
Police have released very few details about the case, including who took Joseph to the hospital. The New York Times reported that the baby died of malnutrition.
The New York City Administration for Children’s Services said state confidentiality laws prohibit 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 immediately initiated an investigation with the NYPD,” a spokesperson said.