2-year-old’s death ruled a homicide

Homicide detectives are investigating after it was determined that a 2-year-old died of blunt force trauma last week.

Emergency crews were called to the 400 block of E. Allegheny Avenue in Kensington at around 9:15 p.m. Sunday, March 14, for a report of a toddler choking. Jacob Rodriguez was in critical condition when first responders rushed him to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, police said.

He died Tuesday, March 16, and, on Friday, authorities identified his cause of death. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday, according to police.

Jacob is the second two-year-old killed in Philadelphia this month.

Yatzirys Rodriguez was subjected to abuse and torture, prosecutors said, before she was found beaten to death March 11 inside a home in Tacony. Two women, including the girl’s godmother, have been charged with murder in connection with her death.

There is no indication the children are related.