Toddler's death by methadone toxicity ruled homicide

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The death of Mickel Brown, 2, has been ruled a homicide. Officials determined the toddler died of methadone toxicity in June.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid - a powerful painkiller. It's also used to treat people trying to withdraw from heroin.

No criminal charges have been filed.

Brown's stepfather put him down for a nap on June 18 and later noticed he wasn't breathing, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The medical examiner's office said Brown, of the 1400-block of South Kedvale Avenue in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 6:30 p.m. that day.

DCFS launched an investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect at the time of Brown's death, authorities said.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.