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5-Year-Old South Chicago Girl Likely Beaten to Death, Autopsy Shows

 Verna Tobicoe died of multiple blunt force impact and internal injuries, the morgue said.
Verna Tobicoe died of multiple blunt force impact and internal injuries, the morgue said.
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CHICAGO — A five-year-old girl who was found unresponsive in her South Chicago home Thursday was likely beaten to death, officials said.

Verna Tobicoe, of the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue, was pronounced dead at 1:04 p.m. Thursday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Autopsy results show the child died of "multiple blunt force impacts" and "internal injuries." The morgue ruled the death a homicide.

Police were called to the home around 12:15 p.m. Thursday and found the girl unresponsive. She was taken to South Shore Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, said Officer Veejay Zala, a Chicago Police spokesman.

Police are questioning the family, Zala said.

Veronica Resa, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, said the girl's father and stepmother are being investigated on allegations of abuse and neglect.

DCFS has had prior contact with the family, including in April 2014 when her biological mother was cited for neglect, Resa said.

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