Family Photo Shows Toddler Elijah Lajeuness; Death Ruled Homicide

A source who has asked to remain anonymous has shared a photo with Patch of 3-year-old Elijah Lajeuness, the child whose death Howard County police are .

Lajeuness was found unresponsive in his Columbia home at the 9600 block of Basket Ring Road April 13 after his mother called authorities with reports that he wasn’t breathing, police said. They did not release the mother's name.

Police announced late .

Police said LaJeuness’s mother, her boyfriend and an 8-year-old sibling were in the home at the time of the boy’s death. A medical examiner’s report says the boy died from asphyxiation.

Neither the mother nor her boyfriend have cooperated with investigators, police said. No charges have been filed.

Police have said they found no signs of forced entry or other indications that anyone else was in the residence.

Efforts Tuesday to reach the child's mother were unsuccessful.

One woman in her neighborhood said residents have been upset about the news of the child’s death.

“I’m so sorry to hear about that baby, a pretty little baby,” said Darlene Sills who lives in an apartment complex where court records show the family lived. “I am upset. …That child had his whole life ahead of him. I really don’t understand why things like this happen.”

Lajeuness’ death has ricocheted across the internet, and he is among the children listed on a website called “Justice for Caylee,” which says it is dedicated to Caylee Anthony, the Orlando, FL, child whose remains were found near her family’s home in December of 2008. Her mother, Casey Anthony, was found not guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in a case that captured national headlines.

Howard County Police are offering a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in Lajeuness' death.