Autopsy shows baby died of head injury

Bret Hayworth

DAKOTA CITY -- Dakota County Attorney Ed Matney announced Friday that the autopsy report regarding the death of 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell showed the youngster died of a closed head injury that resulted in brain injury.

On Sept. 22, 2006, Nathaniel was taken with traumatic head injuries from his foster home in South Sioux City to Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City. He was then flown by air ambulance to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he died on Sept. 24.

Matney has been attempting to piece together whether a crime was committed in the death of Nathaniel, and said he was still not certain on that, so no charges have been filed.

In discussing the just-completed autopsy results, Matney said "Nathaniel's brain and eyes definitely showed hemorrhages," and "the most probable cause of death" was a closed head injury. Closed head injuries, he explained, usually come from one of three sources -- a fall from a great height, an automobile accident or a baby being "subjected to some sort of abuse."

Nathaniel had two older injuries when brought to the hospital on Sept. 22, a broken clavicle from an unknown date and a lower leg fracture from about a month prior, which was set in a cast. Matney said "this event was a horrible event following on the heels of several horrible events for this baby," but said "we've first got to determine if it was a crime."

He said the matter is complicated since there were up to a dozen people living in the Carlos and Tisha Vega South Sioux City home, while Nathaniel also periodically went outside to babysitters. Matney said Nathaniel appears to have been in a babysitter's care outside the Vega home on Sept. 22, although he had been "back with the Vegas for several hours before" being taken to the hospital.

Matney declined to answer whether the injuries could have been the result of an accident or whether some members of the Vega family have been ruled out of complicity. Matney said the case likely will become clearer after an important March meeting with members of the Nebraska Attorney General office and the doctor who completed the autopsy report. He again urged members of the public with information on the case to contact Crimestoppers at (712) 258.TIPS.

A son of Nathan Mitchell and Jacki Saunsoci, both members of the Omaha Tribe, Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell was born Jan. 20, 2005. He suffered from asthma, making it difficult for his young mother, who was 17 at the time of his birth, to care for him. His grandmother, Olivia Saunsoci, said Jacki Saunsoci completed alcohol and drug rehab classes, but could not be granted custody of Nathaniel because she had a criminal record.

Nathaniel was placed with the Vega family as a tribal foster ward in summer 2006, and suffered dog bites on his face early after moving there, Matney said. The county attorney said he found that placement puzzling, since "the Vega household was quite full," with five Vega children and another five foster tribal wards.

Matney said "despite the emotional nature of things," the extended Saunsoci family members "have been very patient" as the investigation continues. He added, "They want to see justice done... sooner rather than later."

Bret Hayworth may be reached at (712) 293.4203 or brethayworth@siouxcityjournal.com