Autopsy shows toddler likely died of hyperthermia
08/16/2005
By BECKY CAMPBELLKINGSPORT
- Preliminary autopsy findings in the death of a 2-year-old
boy indicate he died of hyperthermia, a police detective said Monday.
Kingsport Police Department Detective Melanie Adkins said officials still have
not determined how long Parker Gibson had been inside his parents' car last week.
"
The preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death to be hyperthermia,
but we don't have all the reports, so that is not official," Adkins said.
On Friday, Adkins had stated that there was no indication of foul play related
to the death.
The boy's parents found him about 5:30 p.m. lying on the driver's side floorboard
after they woke up from a nap.
Investigators said the child's parents said they had put him down for a nap around
2 p.m., then took a nap themselves.
When they woke up, young Parker was not in his bed, police said.
"We are still continuing the investigation, and we're reviewing some timelines.
"
The case will be turned over to the district attorney's office upon completion
of the investigation," Adkins said.
The police department has received a few calls from concerned citizens expressing
their views about how the child was able to open a car door himself, Adkins said.
"
The parents said he was able to open the car door, and that is a believable statement
based on the child's size and information about him," Adkins said.
At 21⁄2 years old, she said the boy was tall, very active and healthy.
"
The callers are people wanting to make sure we are investigating it thoroughly,
and we want to assure them that we are," Adkins said.
Published: August 16,
2005
Contact this Times-News contributor- BECKY CAMPBELL