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5-year-old girl's death ruled a homicide in Capitol Heights, police say

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in District of Columbia conducted an autopsy, which determined the child's cause of death to be blunt force trauma.

WASHINGTON — A 5-year-old girl died of blunt force trauma injuries in Capitol Heights, according to a medical examiner's report, and police are now investigating her death as a homicide. 

On Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10:18 p.m. an ambulance was called to a home in the 5100 block of Cumberland Street for a report of a child not breathing, according to police.

After finding the girl unresponsive, rescuers called in officers from the Capitol Heights Police Department.

Pradeline Delinois, 5, was taken to a hospital in Washington, D.C. for treatment, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the District of Columbia conducted an autopsy, which determined the child's cause of death to be blunt force trauma. Her death has been ruled a homicide.

Prince George's County police is leading the investigating, as it does for all homicides in the town of Capitol Heights.  

Police declined to say who called rescuers to the home, or who was in the residence when they arrived. They said that information is part of the investigation.

Neighborhood residents said the child lived in the home with her father and stepmother, along with a teenage sister and infant child. Family members contacted by WUSA9 declined to respond.

No suspects or arrests have been announced by police.

Anyone who has information regarding the investigation should call PGPD detectives at 301-516-2512. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.

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