Matney ask for findings in toddler death

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. -- Nearly a month after toddler Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell died of head trauma and other injuries, Dakota County Attorney Edward Matney said he has requested by letter that the two agencies investigating the death send him all the information they have so far. He said Monday that he no longer wants to wait until they have finished their investigations and written final reports.

Nathaniel, 20-month-old son of Jacki Saunsoci and Nathan Mitchell, died Sept. 24 at the University of Nebraska Medical Clinic in Omaha of injuries he suffered on Sept. 22. Nathaniel was living in South Sioux City at the time, in the custody of a foster family of the Omaha Tribe's child welfare system.

Matney said he has asked the Nebraska State Patrol and South Sioux City Police Department to give him the information they have so he can determine whether there is enough evidence, at least so far, to consider charges.

Matney said one of the delays is that all State Patrol reports must first be reviewed by the NPS office in Norfolk, Neb. In addition, reports from a number of other agencies, such as the Mercy Child Advocacy Center, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Medical Examiner's Office, must also be received by the investigators before becoming part of their reports.