Authorities continue to investigate the death of a toddler who was found unresponsive at a day care on the city's west side on Friday.
"Please let the world know that she was absolutely beautiful and loved by many," said Rachel Román of her niece 19-month old Maite Velia Rodriguez.
The toddler with an "infectious smile" and "bright spirit" did not wake up from her nap on Friday, according to Román.
Emergency crews took Rodriguez from the day care center, in the 4200 block of West Hirsch Street, and transported her to Norwegian-American Hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
An autopsy done Saturday could not yet determine the cause of the baby’s death, according to the medical examiner’s office. Further studies are necessary.
On Friday evening, Police News Affairs Officer Ronald Gaines said detectives launched a death investigation to help determine the baby’s cause of death and whether foul play was involved.
"My sister Velia Cecilia Rodriguez and her husband Josue Rodriguez are devastated but thankful that God let us love Maite for a little while," Román said.
