A 5-year-old girl was beaten to death in the South Chicago neighborhood Thursday.
Verna Tobicoe was found unresponsive at her home in the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue about 12:15 p.m. Thursday and was declared dead at South Shore Hospital less than an hour later, authorities said.
An autopsy determined Verna died from internal injuries from multiple blunt force impacts, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect against Verna’s father and stepmother, DCFS spokeswoman Veronica Resa said.
The department had prior contact with the family when a 2014 report indicated the girl’s biological mother for neglect, Resa said.
Area South detectives are questioning family members, police said.