http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/08/10/body.cooler.ap/index.html
KITTANNING, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A 4-year-old girl who weighed 11.5 pounds when her body was found in a picnic cooler behind her home died of malnutrition and dehydration, an autopsy shows.
Armstrong County Coroner Robert Bower released the autopsy results Sunday for Kristen Tatar, confirming initial findings that the girl suffered from malnutrition, dehydration and neglect.
Kristen's body was found in the cooler Thursday as state police and child welfare officials searched the home in Parks Township, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Officials have said they believed the girl had been dead for weeks.
The cooler had been wrapped in garbage bags and placed in a trash can near a shed in the back yard, authorities said.
James Tatar, 41, and Janet Crawford, 35, were being held without bond in the girl's death. A preliminary hearing for the couple was scheduled for Thursday.
Police said the couple had been acting as Kristen's parents, but that they didn't know if either adult was her biological parent.
Authorities said the girl was kept in a bedroom away from the rest of the family and neighbors told police they never even knew the couple had a daughter.
Edited: to end the confusion on weight
KITTANNING, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A 4-year-old girl who weighed 11.5 pounds when her body was found in a picnic cooler behind her home died of malnutrition and dehydration, an autopsy shows.
Armstrong County Coroner Robert Bower released the autopsy results Sunday for Kristen Tatar, confirming initial findings that the girl suffered from malnutrition, dehydration and neglect.
Kristen's body was found in the cooler Thursday as state police and child welfare officials searched the home in Parks Township, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Officials have said they believed the girl had been dead for weeks.
The cooler had been wrapped in garbage bags and placed in a trash can near a shed in the back yard, authorities said.
James Tatar, 41, and Janet Crawford, 35, were being held without bond in the girl's death. A preliminary hearing for the couple was scheduled for Thursday.
Police said the couple had been acting as Kristen's parents, but that they didn't know if either adult was her biological parent.
Authorities said the girl was kept in a bedroom away from the rest of the family and neighbors told police they never even knew the couple had a daughter.
Edited: to end the confusion on weight
