Investigation delayed in Preston Heights 1-year-old's death

JOLIET TOWNSHIP – The investigation into the death of a 1-year-old girl will require pathology tests that will likely delay any resolution.

Semaj Crosby's body was discovered about midnight Thursday under a couch in her residence in the 300 block of Louis Road in the Preston Heights neighborhood of Joliet Township. The girl had been the subject of intense searches throughout the Preston Heights area since she was reported missing Tuesday evening.

Will County State's Attorney's Office spokesman Charles Pelkie said Friday no charges have been filed in connection with Semaj's death.

"Our office and the Will County sheriff's police are still in contact and actively reviewing the case," Pelkie said. "We're awaiting the ... cause and manner of death."

Findings from the autopsy performed Thursday morning need additional study.

"There will have to be further examination by a pathologist. A full report will take four to five weeks," Will County Deputy Coroner Mark Revis said Friday.

Semaj's family told police she'd been playing with other children in the front yard Tuesday afternoon when she disappeared and they spent an hour looking for her before calling police. Semaj's mother, Sheri Gordon, was questioned twice by investigators and consulted with a lawyer before allowing police to search the house late Wednesday.

Midday Friday, the Will County Sheriff's Office distributed a news release to address "numerous rumors" surrounding Semaj's death.

"The Sheriff's Office was advised from the Will County Coroner that there were no visible signs of blunt force trauma or physical injury to the body of Semaj Crosby to indicate the exact cause of death," the news release stated.

The case is being considered a suspicious death investigation.

"Today, Sheriff's detectives are continuing their investigation and are interviewing cooperating witnesses and some family members," the news release stated. "No one is in custody. No one individual has been targeted as a suspect, however, no one individual has been ruled out as a suspect. Every angle of this tragic incident is being actively examined."

A representative of the Department of Children and Family Services was at the house about an hour before Semaj went missing. The agency opened two investigations of Gordon for allegations of neglect last month. DCFS spokeswoman Veronica Resa stated in an email that DCFS personnel had been at the home about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday “and had seen all three of the mother’s children, including Semaj. There were no obvious hazards or safety concerns at that time.”

But sheriff's police described the house's condition as "deplorable," with garbage strewn throughout. The residence was tagged Thursday as unfit for occupancy.

Including Gordon, her two sons and Semaj, five to 15 people were regularly living in the house as “squatters,” according to sheriff's police.

According to a source with knowledge of the investigation who is not authorized to speak on the matter, one of Semaj's brothers has been hospitalized. DCFS and Gordon's attorney, Neil Patel, declined to comment Friday on whether the brothers are still in Gordon's custody.

Semaj's father, James Crosby, was released on a recognizance bond Thursday from jail, where he has been locked up for two months on theft and domestic battery charges. According to attorney Cosmo Tedone, James Crosby had been scheduled to begin the Adult Redeploy Illinois program this week.

In the diversion program, non-violent offenders undergo 18 months of counseling, substance abuse treatment, mental health therapy and job services. They plead guilty and have convictions on their record, but avoid incarceration.

Tedone said James Crosby will likely begin the program next week.

Funeral arrangements for Semaj Crosby were still pending as of Friday morning.