State reviewed autopsy on Haddon Twp. child; death still a mystery

After conducting an autopsy on a 3-year-old Haddon Township boy whose body was found in a wooded area last week, Camden County Medical Examiner Gerald Feigin called in the state medical examiner and another colleague so a team of experts could review the examination, authorities said Thursday.

A week after the autopsy, a cause of death has not been announced for Brendan Link Creato, whose body was discovered Oct. 13 about a half-mile from his father's apartment, where the boy was first reported missing.

On Thursday, Feigin referred comment to the county Prosecutor's Office.

"The results of the autopsy remain pending. We are awaiting his conclusion," said Andy McNeil, a spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office.

There were no plans for the family to request an independent autopsy, said Richard J. Fuschino Jr., a Philadelphia defense attorney representing Brendan's father, D.J. Creato.

Fuschino, who has said his client is not a suspect, said he believed investigators were working as quickly as they could.

"They don't necessarily have all the answers yet, but I know that they're working on it," he said. "And I encourage everyone to be patient."

On Wednesday, the Prosecutor's Office said that there were no signs of forced entry at the Creato apartment, and that there was no indication the boy was sexually assaulted.

As families in the area expressed fears for their children's safety, the Prosecutor's Office said that detectives continued to investigate Brendan's death.

"We are aware of the community's concerns," McNeil said. "But we cannot rush to judgment. Conducting a thorough investigation can take time and we will continue to be exhaustive in our efforts."

Creato reported his son missing around 6 a.m. Oct. 13 and told a dispatcher in a 911 call that he woke up and found that Brendan was missing. After a frantic search by residents in the Westmont neighborhood, a K-9 unit found Brendan's body in the woods near South Park Drive and Cooper Street.

Thursday afternoon, mourners gathered at the Blake-Doyle Funeral Home in Collingswood for a viewing. The funeral has been planned for Friday, according to an obituary. The family has requested that the services be private.

Many township residents have hung blue bows at their homes in memory of Brendan, and blue bows also were tied around the white poles of the funeral home.

Barbara Szwak, 71, of Audubon, who said she has known the Creato family for 10 years and attended the viewing, said outside the funeral home that the mood inside was "very somber."

"People are trying to hold up as best they can," she said.

"It's a mystery," she said about Brendan's death. "Nobody knows what's going on. I don't know what else to say. It's a sad case."

Kathy Collins, 62, of Camden, who said she is related to the mother's side of Brendan's family through her son's marriage, echoed that sentiment.

"There's no reason for a baby to be gone," she said.

The obituary said Brendan loved playing with monster trucks and Legos, and that his favorite songs were the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" and "Strawberry Fields Forever."

Brendan had planned to be the Hulk for Halloween, his family said.

mboren@phillynews.com

856-779-3829 @borenmc