Wow, this is extremely sad! A Maryland father and his seven children have, unfortunately, passed away from what could have been avoided.
Via the New York Times
A father and his seven children were found dead in a house in southern Maryland on Monday from what the police suspect was carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Princess Anne Police Department said detectives looking for a worker who was reported missing went to the house and found the bodies.
The police identified the man as Rodney Eric Todd, 36, and said he was the father of all seven children, aged 6 to 16. Officials withheld the children’s names at the family’s request.
Officials said a gas generator that was found in the home and out of fuel might have been the source of the carbon monoxide.
The Associated Press reported that Bonnie and Lloyd Edwards, who identified themselves as the dead man’s mother and stepfather, said that Delmarva Power had cut off the electricity to the house because of an outstanding bill and that the generator was being used for heat.
“To keep his seven children warm,” Mr. Todd bought a generator, Mr. Edwards said. “It went out, and the carbon monoxide consumed them.”
The bodies were taken to the state office of the chief medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
While officials believe that no foul play was detected, the final ruling of the deaths will be ruled once a thorough investigation has been completed.
