Authorities in Pima County, Arizona arrested and charged a father in connection to the death of his 9-year-old son found deceased inside their home.
Investigators said Joseph Gregory Antonsen, 38, left his son to decompose on a couch for days after he died from unknown causes.
The lifeless boy was sitting up on the couch, surrounded by piles of garbage, soiled diapers, empty beer cans, and urine-filled bottles.
Detectives said a lot of insect activity was also noted at the home which had no running water or functioning toilets.
Antonsen admitted that his son was severely ill, “shuttering and going limp” on July 12.
He claimed that he left the home for two days and returned to find him not breathing and without a pulse.
Police discovered the child’s body while conducting a welfare check.
“His son was really cute. He was a really friendly kid. He was very polite. He was a lot friendlier than his dad,” a neighbor recalled.
A cause of death is pending but police said the boy has been dead “for an extended period of time.”
Antonsen, who depended on his parents, has been charged with negligent homicide and child abuse.
