St. Johnsbury 22-month-old Mason Keithan died of natural causes from bronchial asthma, according to a death certificate issued Friday.
State police, meanwhile, say they have not concluded their investigation of Mason’s death.
Police said they have not received a final copy of the autopsy report, nor the results of a toxicology screening.
Mason’s death was the third in three months of children whose families had ties to the Department of Children and Families.
Mason’s mother, Alicia Mitchell, said DCF in the past had taken temporary custody of her son but returned him. She said she felt some people unfairly tied her situation to the two prior deaths, where the toddlers’ deaths were ruled homicides.
Vermont State Police officials said they were surprised the certificate was released Thursday to news media, before law enforcement and the family were notified.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Steve Shapiro said through a Health Department spokesman Friday that he has not finalized the autopsy report but had enough information to issue the certificate, which lists the cause and manner of death.
“We have not closed the door on any outcomes,” State Police Det. Sgt. Dave Petersen said.
