Allen Fernandez, 11, died on April 21, 2012, after he was found in a forest preserve near his Hoffman Estates home, with a puncture wound to his chest. (Photo supplied to CBS)
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Updated 04/23/12 – 3:49 p.m.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (CBS) – The bizarre death of an 11-year old boy from Hoffman Estates, who suffered a puncture wound to the chest, appears to be a “tragic accident,” authorities said Monday.
Allen Fernandez, of the 1300 block of Mallard Lane in Hoffman Estates, died Saturday afternoon. The boy had gone out to play, and 45 minutes later, he was found dead in a nearby Cook County Forest Preserve, CBS 2′s Mike Puccinelli reported over the weekend.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports
On Monday, Hoffman Estates police said an autopsy determined the puncture wound was to blame and that an extensive investigation had been made.
“At this point in our investigation we have no evidence to indicate that this is anything more than a tragic accident,” the police said in a written statement.
Neighbors expressed shock about the boy’s death.
“I’m still hoping that this is a dream,” Tarj Africawala said.
But it’s no dream. The harsh reality is that Fernandez was found unconscious and not breathing.
Africawala said she still can’t believe it. She said Mallard Lane won’t be the same without the presence of the 5th grader known as “A.J.”
Cook County Forest Preserve Police were mapping out the area to be searched Sunday afternoon, but wouldn’t say whether they whether were looking for a weapon, or other type of evidence.
Fernandez’s loved ones weren’t talking either as they showed up with suitcases in tow to grieve the loss of A.J.
