Boy killed by ear infection

An Australian boy who died of a common ear infection had been taken from a house where garbage and human waste were piled high, authorities said.

An inquest into the October 2006 death of Jarrad Roberts, 10, of Adelaide, revealed Tuesday that he lived with his mother and sister in unsanitary conditions in a house where the smell of feces and rotting

food was overpowering, The Australian reported.

The boy was brought to a health clinic by his family and was recommended for hospitalization, but collapsed after being taken back home by his mother. An inquest was called to hear evidence about Jarrad's medical treatment and to determine why he was living in such squalor, the newspaper said.

Senior Constable Darren Mead told the coroner at the hearing that he found "bags upon bags" of garbage in the Roberts house three hours after Jarrad died, saying, "It just smelt of rotten food, of sweat, urine, feces. It just was a very overwhelming smell when we walked in."

from:www.upi.com