A 2-year-old boy residing in foster care in Santa Clara County died last week, according to the county.
The boy, identified only as Jaxon, died last Thursday. He had been “recently placed” in the home of a family member and died “due to abuse and neglect,” The Mercury News reported.
The toddler’s 17-year-old cousin, who also lived in the home, is facing six counts of sexual assault on a child.
The county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services is already under oversight by the state after at least two previous child deaths.
County Executive James R. Williams released a statement, saying, “This is a horrific tragedy and my heart aches for this small child. Keeping children safe is an essential priority. We are committed to getting to the bottom of what happened and holding people accountable, where appropriate. That process has already begun, and we are doing everything we can to quickly understand all the facts and to take all appropriate actions. We are sending our deepest condolences to the family for their loss.”