Saunsoci family requests documents in toddler's death

Travis Coleman

The family of 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell tried Thursday to find out more about the type of care he was receiving in the weeks before his death last September.

The Saunsoci family met with the Omaha Tribal Council in Macy, Neb., to request documents from the tribe's Child Protective Services that could shed light on why the child was placed with foster parents Carlos and Tisha Vega, who authorities say housed up to a dozen people in their home.

According to Olivia Saunsoci, Nathaniel's grandmother. the council agreed to request the documents but it's not known whether they'll be released.

"I think it's a lot of frustration as to why no one is arrested," she said.

As a matter of policy, Child Protective Services chose not to comment on the investigation into the toddler's death or whether the documents would be released to the council.

"I do not believe the department will ever have a statement," said Thane Glenn, the department's attorney.

Child Protective Services is controlled by the tribal government, and comments on the investigation would have to come through the tribal council. A secretary for the council said the council cannot speak about the situation because of the ongoing investigation.

Nathaniel was a ward of the Omaha Tribe and was placed with the Vegas in South Sioux City in summer 2006. This past Sept. 22, Nathaniel was with a baby sitter until he was with the Vegas for a few hours before being taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City with traumatic head injuries. He was then flown by air ambulance to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he died Sept. 24.

Authorities still have not charged anyone in connection with the death. At this point, there isn't enough evidence to bring criminal charges, Dakota County Attorney Ed Matney said.

Last month, Matney said he was concerned that people may be withholding information crucial to the investigation. When the appropriate amount of information is gathered, his office may convene a grand jury to seek an indictment that would force the Vegas to tell authorities what they know.

The possibility of direct charges also seems unlikely at this point, he said.

Anyone with any information about the death of Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (712) 258-TIPS (8477).