Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Father wants answers in son's death, police continue to investigate
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Officials are trying to determine whether a drug overdose killed a young child, but his father told 7 News he doesn't know how that could've happened.
According to Coral Springs Police, they have reason to believe that Nicholas' mother gave her son a prescription sleeping pill, but they still don't know if that caused his death. "If it does determine that the actual sleeping aid caused the death of the child, the mother could face manslaughter charges," Coral Springs Police Sergeant Joe McHugh said.
Alan Odze is a retired New York Police officer who said he was injured on the job. He admitted that he may have as many as 60 prescription medications in the house, but he would never give any of them to a child. "The last thing we did, gave him a kiss and said goodnight. He never woke up," Odze said.
Nicholas' mother was recently hospitalized after what the family's attorney said was a reaction to over-the-counter medication. "Right now she is in intensive care, sort of on a day-to-day basis because she's had acute liver failure," Spencer Aronfeld said.
Odze is very confused about the death of his son. He said Nicholas's mother was a great mother. "His mother is a very loving mother, very supportive. She's a good mother. She took very good care of Nicholas," Odze revealed.
When asked if he believed the sleeping pill caused the death of his son, Odze was not certain. "I will get those answers, I know that. I'm very confident in the medical examiners and the police and their investigation."
Odze admitted his wife approached him about giving Nicholas Lunesta after he had trouble sleeping. Odze said he absolutely said no.
The family is awaiting toxicology reports, which will determine what Nicholas ingested before he went to sleep.
The mother remains at the Broward General Medical Center.
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