Hennepin Co. Receives Extension For Charges In 2-Year-Old's Death

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Prosecutors will get more time to decide whether to charge a Minneapolis teenager with the death of a toddler.

Two-year-old Sophia O'Neill died Wednesday after she was in the care of her mother's 17-year-old boyfriend.

The little girl stopped breathing at about noon and was rushed to the hospital. Authorities later arrested the teen.

"Everyone is grieving deeply," Barb Whetstone said. "There's a lot of tears."

For anyone who knew Sophia, the last two days have been a blur of sadness and sudden loss.

"I never would imagine that this would ever happen," Barb said. "I wasn't blood related to her, but she was just like a granddaughter to me."

Sophia came into Barb's life when her 17-year-old grandson started dating Sophia's mom about a year ago.

"He loved her," Barb said. "She called him dad."

Barb says that close connection is why circumstances surrounding the girl's death add confusion to her grief.

"The accusations and everything that's going on, I can't believe," Barb said.

Barb said Sophia stopped breathing Wednesday afternoon while home alone with the boyfriend. With no phone in the residence, he rushed to the neighbor's house for help.

The little girl later died at the hospital.

"The only thing that I know was the day before, Sophia was very sick," Barb said.

Police arrested the teenager hours later, but they have not given details into the case.

However, Barb said Sophia's father has made accusations of child abuse in the past.

"I never saw anything, I never suspected anything," Barb said. "I just saw a happy little girl."

That teenager remains in juvenile detention. Any charges would have to come down by early afternoon Monday.

WCCO reached out to Sophia's dad, but he had no comment. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office is still investigating the cause of death.