Police say a 6-year-old boy stabbed his 2-year-old brother to death in Joliet, Illinois

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) — A 6-year-old boy stabbed his 2-year-old brother to death in Joliet late Friday afternoon, police said.

Joliet police were called to the 2700 block of Fairway Drive, near Pembroke Road, at 5:04 p.m. for a report of a child being stabbed. They found the 2-year-old boy inside the home with multiple stab wounds, police said.

Preliminary investigations have shown that the toddler was stabbed with a kitchen knife by his six-year-old brother, police said. The stabbing is believed to have taken place in a family or TV room.

The 2-year-old was taken by ambulance to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. He died in the hospital, police said.

Joliet Police Sergeant Dwayne English said the children's mother and grandmother were home at the time of the stabbing and the mother called 911 when she found the boy.

English wasn't sure if there were any other children living in the house besides the two brothers.

Many questions remained Friday night about what exactly happened. Investigators were still trying to determine late Friday what led up to and triggered the incident, but English said it was likely the answers would never come.

English said the 6-year-old was with officers at the police station late Friday and his grandfather was believed to be with him.

Police said the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been notified and is currently investigating. Given the number of children involved, it is not yet clear what the next steps will be.

“The investigation is very slow and it is important to say that we extend our deepest sympathies to this family as we believe everyone involved in this incident is a victim,” said Sergeant English.

An autopsy was performed on Saturday. The final cause and manner of death will be determined following the autopsy, police report and toxicology report. However, it is the policy of the Will County Coroner to not release the names of the fatalities in investigations involving juvenile deaths.

Custody of the 6-year-old was transferred to DCFS, which coordinated a screening with the Will County Health Department.
Assessment Support Services will arrange for the child to be transported by ambulance to a local hospital where a psychiatric evaluation will be conducted.

English urged the public to be patient during the investigation and to refrain from passing judgment.