10-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Illinois Garage, Mother Charged; Cause of Death Revealed

Credit: Rock Island County Jail

A 10-year-old boy was found dead in a garbage bin at his mom's garage in Illinois. The Rock Island County coroner said he was shot and died, according to the initial autopsy, PEOPLE reported.

On July 26, the police found Zion Staples' body after it had been in the trash for seven months. The mother, Sushi Staples, 37, is facing charges for hiding the death, not reporting the death of a child under 13, and obstructing justice.

The coroner, Brian Gustafson, didn't say which part of Zion's body was shot due to the ongoing investigation.

A person who gave a tip that helped find the body talked to TV6 anonymously. This person had contacted the Department of Children and Family Services a few times because Staples was acting strangely about her son. The tip made the police check on July 25, leading to finding Zion's body.

Sushi Staples was in court in late July. A preliminary hearing is set for August 15. It's not clear if she pleaded guilty or hired a lawyer.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Rock Island Police Department at 309-732-2677, Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500, or use the P3 Tips app.

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