Toddler tragically starved to death in a New York apartment after his caretaker father died of heart disease

Medical examiners in upstate New York have finally released autopsy reports on a toddler and his father who both died earlier this year, and the reports are truly heartbreaking. The toddler died of starvation after his caretaker father succumbed to heart disease.

On February 15, police in Geneva, New York, about an hour west of Syracuse, were called to conduct a welfare check on the residence where David Conde Sr., 59, lived with his 2-year-old son, David Conde Jr. Family and friends said they had not heard from Conde Sr. for at least a week and that the last time both had been seen at the residence was January 22.

When police arrived at the apartment rented by Conde Sr., they discovered the bodies of father and son in a bedroom. The apartment was in order, and all safety and security measures were in place.

"There were no signs of a struggle in the residence, and as I indicated, the door was locked on the inside," Lt. David Cirencione from the Ontario County Sheriff’s office said at the time. "There’s also a sliding door with a deck that had a security bar that was engaged. We do not have any reason to believe anyone else was inside the apartment when these two passed away."

The long-awaited autopsy reports on the father and son have now been released. Conde Sr., who had a long history of medical issues, died first of natural causes related to cardiovascular disease. Then his young son, unable to care for himself, eventually starved to death.

"It is believed Mr. Conde passed away first and the child was not able to obtain any nourishment after his father passed," the report released on Monday stated.

The boy's death is considered accidental, and the investigation into both deaths is now considered closed.

Conde Sr. obtained full custody of his son shortly after he was born. The boy was born with an unidentified medical condition and endured several surgeries, casts, and rehabilitation in his short life. He had only recently learned to walk. His obituary described him as "a beautiful baby boy with curly locks" and "a determined smile and sweet disposition."

The boy's mother, Michelle Travers, was not regularly involved in his life, reports say. Young Conde Jr. had several siblings: brothers Caden, Rickey, Ryan, Justin, Julian, and Kayshaun and a sister named Kiera. It is unclear whether Conde Sr. was the father of any of these siblings.

The body of little David Conde Jr. was found near the bed where his father lay.