One-Year Mark in Unsolved Toddler Death; Few Answers

Robert LaJeuness says he plays over in his mind the rainy day one year ago today that he got a call from .

His 3-year-old son, Elijah LaJeuness, had been found not breathing and unresponsive in his Columbia home, where he lived with his mother who shared custody of Elijah with Robert.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital on April 13, 2011. The death was later ruled a homicide by asphyxia.

One year later, no one has been charged in the death, but many, including Robert LaJeuness, who lives in Hyattsville, continue to grieve.

“There are no words to describe how much I miss my son,” wrote Robert . "Sometimes when I see other little boys around the same age that he was, I find myself fighting back the tears.

“He could have grown up and gone on to do great things with his life.”

Roadblocks in the Case

Police have said there were two adults present at the time Elijah was found unresponsive: his mother and Robert’s ex-wife, Joaquinia LaJeuness, and her boyfriend at the time. Joaquinia's other child was also present, according to police.

Police have also said that in the investigation into her son’s death.

Her attorney, Louis Willemin, a Howard County deputy district public defender, has said that she gave a “full statement” the night of her son’s death.

“Police have sought to further interview her; we have not agreed,” “It is my perception that no one believes Miss LaJeuness caused the death of Elijah LaJeuness, but [they] have not been able to put together a case to charge a different person.”

Howard County police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said Thursday there is no new information in the case, but a that would lead to an arrest is still available.

Willemin’s comments came during a hearing regarding charges that Joaquinia LaJeuness abused Elijah in 2010.

Joaquinia 28, two counts of second-degree child abuse and one count of second-degree assault, as well as contributing to acts and omission for the incidents police said occurred in 2010.

Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 23.

Reports of Abuse; ‘Nothing was done.”

In August of 2011, that showed that the year before he died, adults, including doctors and social workers, investigated injuries to Elijah, ranging from bruises to his forehead and ears to burns on the tops of his feet.

Patch also reported that , the Howard County Department of Social Services agreed to allow supervised contact between the child and his “alleged maltreator.”

Neither police nor social service officials have released the name of the “alleged maltreator.”

“Nothing was ever done,” said Bethany Kennedy, a former roommate of Robert LaJeuness, who lives in Hyattsville, . “They brushed it off. 'He was 3 years old, it was normal bumps and bruises.' … It was too constant to be the normal wear and tear of a child. A child doesn’t burn his feet.”

the allegations were part of the ongoing investigation.

On Jan. 9. 2011, on charges of abuse that police said occurred in November of 2010. 

Howard County police said after the indictment was announced that the Department of Social Services received a report on Nov. 3, 2010 that Elijah, then 2, had marks and bruises on his face. A doctor's review said the injuries were not accidental.

There was no word on any charges relating directly to the boy's death.

Today, that he prays for closure in the case.

“I still pray every day for a call from the police department to tell me that they have solved the case and that the person/s involved have been arrested and charged for what they have done,” he said.