Coroner: Renault child’s death ruled accidental

The Monroe County Coroner’s Office has determined the death of a 2-year-old Renault boy to be accidental, it was released on Monday.

An investigation was conducted into the March 17 death of 27-month-old Jase C. Tojo after the boy was found unresponsive in his home.

Medical findings from the coroner’s office released Monday indicate the cause of death was asphyxiation, which had contributing factors of respiratory complications, shared sleeping space and bedding material.

“The thorough investigative efforts by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Child Death Investigative Task Force, Department of Child and Family Services and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit aided the coroner’s office in the findings of this case,” the coroner’s office released in a statement on Monday.

Visitation and funeral services for Jase, the son of Sydney Tojo, took place in March at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo with burial at St. John Cemetery in Maeystown.

Regarding the police investigation, Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said his department’s findings on the case will be sent to Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz, after which a final determination on criminal charges, if any, will be made.

Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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