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Cause Of 3-Year-Old Roxbury Boy's Death Not Yet Determined

BOSTON (CBS) – Officials have not yet determined the cause of death for a 3-year-old boy who died several days after being taken from a Roxbury home with traumatic injuries.

Kenai Whyte was taken from an Alpine Street home on Sunday with serious injuries. He died on Tuesday.

Sources told WBZ-TV that Whyte was at his father's home when he suffered the injuries.

The medical examiner's office has not yet determined the cause of Whyte's death.

Representatives from the Department of Children and Families had visited the home as recently as the Friday before Whyte's death, finding he was well-fed, clean and had no issues of note.

DCF now has custody of a 5-month-old who lived inside the house. WBZ-TV has learned that child is Whyte's baby sister.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said it is too early in the investigation to comment on if there were any concerns with DCF's handling of Whyte's case.

"Any time you're dealing with a little child and there's so many loving people out there who would love to be there for a lot of these kids that unfortunately go through very tragic situations and ultimately pass away," Walsh said.

"In this case here it's too early, too premature for me to comment on DCF's involvement or lack of involvement, but certainly it's disturbing."

Gov. Charlie Baker said that as a parent, his "heart sinks" to see the death of a young child.

"Our view at this point is to cooperate as aggressively and as fully as we can with the District Attorney," Baker said.

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