Toxicology test negative, mystery over tot's death deepens

A toxicology test on a Haddon Township boy whose body was found in the woods three weeks ago has come back negative, an attorney for Brendan Creato's father, D.J., said Monday.

Toxicology tests generally determine whether drugs or other chemicals were ingested, and would come back positive if that had occurred.

"It is another small answer," said Richard J. Fuschino Jr., D.J. Creato's attorney. "But it just really begs more questions."

Fuschino said he confirmed the findings through the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Andy McNeil, a spokesman for the office, said Monday, "We are continuing to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the death of 3-year-old Brendan Creato. We have no further comment at this time."

An autopsy conducted Oct. 13, the day Brendan's body was found, did not determine the cause or manner of death. Authorities said then that further tests were pending.

No arrests have been made. The Prosecutor's Office has said there is no indication Brendan was sexually assaulted, and no signs of forced entry at his father's apartment, where Brendan had been staying.

D.J. Creato reported his son missing in a 911 call around 6 a.m. Oct. 13. An automated police call about the disappearance prompted neighbors to search for the tot in parked cars, yards, and even inside plastic Halloween pumpkins.

Around 9 a.m. Oct. 13, a police K-9 unit found Brendan's body in the woods near Cooper Street and South Park Drive, about a half-mile from his father's second-story apartment.

In the township's Westmont neighborhood, where school crossing guards stand on street corners each weekday and many children live, anxiety and rumors have spread about whether someone caused Brendan's death.

Fuschino has said authorities have told him his client is not a suspect. Fuschino took a shot Monday at social-media postings and online commenters accusing D.J. Creato, 22, of wrongdoing.

"I do hope that the naysayers and the people in the comments and the social media who say things like my client is a suspect see that it's really just not that simple," Fuschino said. "And this is what happens when you jump to conclusions."

Many in Haddon Township have tied blue and black bows around their homes to remember Brendan as the investigation continues. In the search for clues, detectives also knocked on doors Thursday in Westmont.

mboren@phillynews.com

856-779-3829 @borenmc