Medical personnel along with the Joplin Police Department were dispatched to 813 Central this morning (July 27, 2009) in response to a call that a juvenile male was unconscious and not breathing. Tyler J. Fecko of 1502 Michigan was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:37 a.m.

Preliminary investigation has led to the possibility that the 11-year old had consumed a large quantity of alcohol in the hours preceding his death. He had been visiting relatives at the location who allegedly had a drinking party going on involving the child. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday in Columbia.

Couple arrested

Joplin Police detectives arrested two people in connection with the death of Fecko. Dale Phillips and Linda Petrait, both 27, were arrested at 813 Central. Both have been charged with 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bond has been set at $50,000 for each.

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