Authorities Investigate Drowning Death Of Toddler

UPDATED: 11/08/10 2:30 p.m.

ISLAND LAKE, Ill. (STMW) - A 2-year-old boy rushed to a hospital late Sunday from his northwest suburban home died from drowning, a Monday autopsy revealed.

Mason Mack, of the 200 block of Fairfield Drive in Island Lake, was pronounced dead at 3:25 a.m. at Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, the Cook County Medial Examiner's office said.

An autopsy on Monday revealed Mason died from drowning, although the manner of death — whether it was accidental or a homicide – was undetermined, a medical examiner's office spokesman said.

Emergency crews responded to the home and initially took the boy to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington but he was soon transferred to Lutheran General Hospital, Wauconda Fire Protection Dist. Batallion Chief Kevin Pyne said.

Pyne said the boy was unresponsive but had a pulse when he was taken from his home.

Police released few details on the death Monday but said officers initially responded to a 911 call at the home in reference to a missing child, an Island Lake police release said.

Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said the agency is investigating an allegation of neglect against Mason's father, but had no prior contact with the family prior to this morning's incident.

Island Park police and the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force are investigating and further details are expected to be released later Monday.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)