18-month-old found deceased, death investigation launched

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Orange County Sheriff's deputies slapped cuffs on the mother of an 18-month-old boy, taking her away after the boy, named Moor Lysias, was found dead in her house.

Deputies say the mother was taken in for a mental evaluation. They said she's not a suspect at this point.

Sheila Rodriguez, who knows the family, said it's heartbreaking. “It shows that there's parents that don't need the children,” she said, “they just don't need them, they shouldn't have them.”

Deputies say there were only three people at home when this happened: the baby, the mother, and a roommate. They say the roommate called 911.

Deputies got the call around 4 a.m., Sunday. They call the death "suspicious" but haven't yet announced how the baby died.

“The medical examiner will take the child's body to their office. They will determine tomorrow, hopefully, what the exact cause of death is,” said Jane Watrel, OCSO Spokeswoman.

Rodirguez said the mother only got custody of the boy a week ago. She said he was all smiles. “A happy-go-lucky baby,” she said.

Deputies say the roommate is fully cooperating with their investigation.

See the full press conference below.