AZ Father Joe Antonsen Arrested After Young Son Found Dead On Couch ‘Sitting Upright’

TUCSON, AZ. (THECOUNT) — Joseph Gregory Antonsen, 38, has been arrested in Tucson, Arizona, after authorities discovered the decomposing body of his young son on a couch inside their home. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has charged Antonsen with negligent homicide and child abuse.

The investigation began when deputies conducted a welfare check at the Tucson-area home. They found the 9-year-old boy dead, sitting upright on a couch. Antonsen admitted to investigators that his son became ill on July 12, and instead of taking him to a doctor, he left the home for two days, leaving the boy’s body inside. He claimed that his son was “shuttering and going limp” and had no pulse or breath.

The home was found in a state of severe neglect, with piles of garbage, empty beer cans, soiled diapers, rotten food, bottles of urine, and extensive insect activity, including spiders. There was no running water or working toilets. Neighbors reported not seeing the boy in about a month and described him as a friendly and polite child.

The boy’s body was already decomposing when discovered, and court documents revealed that Antonsen is solely dependent on his parents in Panama and considered a flight risk. He is currently held on a $500,000 bond.

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