Boy, 4, Found Dead, Alone in Long Island Home

Police investigating the death of a 4-year-old boy found alone in a Long Island apartment say he appears to be the victim of violence.

Authorities say police received a call shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday reporting an ambulance was needed for a small boy at an Amityville apartment on Ketcham Avenue.

When officers responded, they discovered the child unconscious on a couch in the living room. No adults were in the home.

The boy was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead at about 6 p.m. 

The child has been identified as Adonis Reed.

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Police said there were obvious signs of trauma on Reed's body. 

A police dog was brought to the home Thursday to look for evidence, investigators said.

Police said Reed's 6-year-old lived in the same home and has been accounted for.

Neighbor Eric Erath said the children didn't seem mistreated.

"Whenever I saw them, they were cheerful," he said.

Neighbors left a teddy bear and other stuffed animals on the steps of the home Thursday afternoon as some paused to look at children's drawings visible in the windows .

Junior Orellana, who lives nearby, said he was shocked the boy was gone.

"I always saw him playing in the front yard here and now he's dead," said Junior Orellana. "I can't believe it."

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide division at 631-852-6392, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

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