HASTINGS (WCCO) — Authorities are investigating the death of a St. Bonifacious toddler, whose death has been ruled a homicide.
On Feb. 10, 2012, authorities were dispatched to 19-month-old Cottrell Short’s home on the 3700 block of Hillview Lane. He died the next day at the Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, Minn.
At the time of his death, family friends said they did not know what happened to Short. When a reporter knocked on the door of the home, he was asked to leave the property.
The Medical Examiner says Cottrell’s death was a result of many causes, including sepsis from burn, hemoperitoneum, peritonitis, abdominal and head injuries (including skull fracture and hemorrhages). The injuries were due to neglect and multiple debilitating injuries of varying ages.
Cottrell had other significant injuries, including multiple fractures in the wrist, rib, leg, elbow, and shoulder, multiple cutaneous injuries to head, torso and extremities of varying ages as well as elevated sedative medication.
The death is being investigated by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Public Safety Department and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
