Joseph Gregory Antonsen, a 38-year-old Arizona dad, has been arrested and charged after his nine-year-old son’s body was reportedly discovered decomposing on a couch.
As per to KOLD, Antonsen is experiencing charges of “negligent murder and child abuse.” In addition, he is reportedly being held on $500,000 bond.
PEOPLE reports that it remains not clear whether the 38-year-old has entered a plea in response to the charges. Or if he has retained an attorney.
As per the media, authorities arrived at the 38-year-old’s house on Sunday, July 14, for a wellness check. The Arizona Republic notes that officers met “piles of trash,” diapers, beer cans, rotten food, and gallon bottles reportedly filled with urine.
In addition, the officers found the decomposing body of Antonsen’s 9-year-old allegedly “sitting up” on the family couch, per KOLD. Furthermore, the deputies reportedly noted that the boy’s body was in the process of decomposition.
“The investigation disclosed that the child had been deceased on a couch inside of the residence for an extended period of time,” a statement from Pima County Sheriff’s Department reportedly opened per E! News.
Additionally, The Arizona Republic reports that Antonsen’s house had “no running water or working toilets.”
As per KOLD, Antonsen told officers his son became sick on July 12. Furthermore, he reportedly noted that the 9-year-old was “shuttering” and going “limp.”
The man reportedly addressed that he should have called a doctor for his son. Instead, he allegedly left the house for 2 days.
The Arizona Republic notes that it remains unclear who called for the wellness check on the child. The boy’s dad has reportedly refused to provide additional information to detectives as their investigation into the child’s passing remains ongoing.