Tucson, Arizona – A shocking case of neglect and tragedy has unfolded in Picture Rocks, Arizona, resulting in the arrest of a 38-year-old man on charges of negligent homicide and child abuse. The arrest follows the horrific discovery of the decomposing body of his 9-year-old son, surrounded by squalor and hazardous conditions inside their home.
According to court documents, Joseph Gregory Antonsen, the father of the deceased child, was taken into custody by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department after it was determined that the boy had been dead for a considerable period of time. The authorities also found evidence suggesting that Antonsen failed to seek assistance for his son.
Upon arriving at the scene on Sunday evening, law enforcement officials were met with a harrowing sight. The house was infested with insects, strewn with empty beer cans, piles of soiled diapers, and rotten food. Spider webs covered the walls, and venomous spiders such as black widows and brown recluses were found throughout the residence. Shockingly, there was no running water or working toilets.
Antonsen claimed that his son fell ill on July 12, two days prior to the discovery of the body in the sitting position on a couch. However, he admitted to failing to seek medical attention for his son and instead left the house until July 14. Deputies determined that Antonsen’s inaction, coupled with the deplorable living conditions, provided ample grounds for charges of child abuse and negligent homicide.
The identity of the deceased child has not been released by the sheriff’s department.
As the investigation continues, it has been revealed that Antonsen is dependent on his parents, who reside in Panama, making him a potential flight risk. The authorities have set his bond at $500,000 to ensure his presence throughout legal proceedings.
The full extent of this tragic incident and the consequences for Joseph Gregory Antonsen will be determined as the legal process unfolds.