KNX 1070: 1-Year-Old Chokes To Death While Being Fed By Mother Who Collapsed, Died

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A woman and a 1-year-old were found dead inside an apartment in Hollywood, while a 2-year-old child was found alive on Monday night.

Neighbors say the incident unfolded in the second-floor apartment in the 1600 block of North Fuller Avenue where the woman lived with her newly adopted sons.

Police said a friend went to check on the woman when she didn't return his calls. Outside her apartment door, he heard a crying child and notified police.

Inside the apartment, police said they found the woman dead on the ground and a 1-year-old boy dead in his high-chair.

Police said the woman had recently been released from the hospital for bronchitis and appears to have died from a breathing issue.

"We do know from a person that was actually checking up on her that she had had a medical condition a few days prior, but was released from a hospital," LAPD Lt. John Jenal told Mike Simpson of KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO.

The woman, according to Simpson, was feeding the baby at the kitchen table when she sustained some sort of medical emergency, likely collapsed, and died. The boy apparently choked on food and died.

Police said a 2-year-old child was also inside the home and was alive but severely dehydrated.

"The bottom cupboards had been ransacked apparently by this 2-year-old trying to survive. They found water running. Apparently it was very hot inside," the lieutenant said.

Police said the woman may have been dead for two days.

The radio station said police were trying to locate relatives of the surviving child who was being cared for at a hospital.

The door of the home was locked and foul play was not suspected.

"No forced entry. It just appears to be a very tragic situation," the lieutenant said.

Police have not released the identity of the woman, but did indicate that she was a single parent in her early to mid-40s.