State says teenager nearly died because of medical neglect

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island officials say a teenage boy was hospitalized and nearly died as a result of neglect.

The state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families says the 15-year-old from Bristol was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Hasbro Children’s Hospital on Aug. 18 because of a chronic medical condition. The department says he had faced medical neglect.

Officials say the boy’s family had an open case with the department as recently as 2013 but did not when he was hospitalized.

His name and other information are being kept confidential by the department.

The department says it has notified the state’s Office of the Child Advocate. State law requires the department to publicly disclose reports of fatalities or near fatalities among children.