Dallas police investigate possible heat death of Red Bird boy, 10

By TOM BENNING and LINDSAY RUEBENS Staff Writers Published 26 July 2011 08:31 AM Dallas homicide detectives are investigating the possibly heat-related death of a 10-year-old Red Bird boy Tuesday. Paramedics found Jonathan James unresponsive about 11 p.m. Monday at a home in the 5500 block of Elm Leaf Court, near Red Bird Lane and Duncanville Road. Jonathans parents told police that he had not been feeling well since Sunday. The home doesnt have central air conditioning, and two window air-conditioning units and fans werent keeping the house cool, police said. Jonathans mother told investigators that he was very hot Monday night and that she tried to cool him down by placing him in a bathtub. When his condition worsened, the family called rescue officials. He was taken to Methodist Charlton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Dallas County medical examiners office has not yet determined the cause of death. Child Protective Services is also investigating the death, although police said there was no visible evidence of abuse. CPS spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales said she wasnt aware of any prior complaints against the parents. Two siblings Jonathans twin brother and 12-year-old brother were taken from the home Tuesday morning as a precaution and placed with relatives. Donta Wilson, a 13-year-old neighbor, said Jonathans home was still quite warm when he went there Tuesday morning. The air conditioning doesnt work, said Donta, a good friend of Jonathans 12-year-old brother. There are a lot of fans in there. He said Jonathan was a good kid who always did what was right. Donta said he talked to Jonathans mother Tuesday morning and tried to comfort her. I told her it would be OK, he said. Just put it in Gods hands, and itll be OK.

tbenning@dallasnews.com; lruebens@dallasnews.com