Foul play suspected in 5-year-old's death, mother claims she was napping when child left home

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - Foul play is suspected in the case of a 5-year-old boy who was found dead in the woods just days before his birthday, according to court documents.

Joshua McCoy, who was nonverbal and autistic, was reported missing on Nov. 9 by a family friend.

According to court documents, Joshua’s mother Angela German told police she had gone to sleep with her son around 1:30 p.m. and when she woke up around 3 p.m., Joshua was gone. She said she had been depressed and had been taking medication to help her sleep.

Joshua’s body was later found on Nov. 12. Court documents say the boy was naked and appeared to have been dropped off in the woods. His phone was also found near his body.

During their investigation, police learned that Oregon’s Department of Human Services had opened a case against German over claims of neglect and mistreatment towards her son. During a search of the home, police described unsanitary conditions, as well as several prescription pill bottles, syringes and an unused box of Narcan in German’s bedroom.

Before living in Oregon, German and Joshua were living in Utah with a family friend who called the police to report Joshua was missing. That friend said that German had been sleeping a lot and not caring for Joshua. She said her husband kicked the two out of their home in October.

German has not officially been charged but investigators believe there is enough evidence for a murder charge.

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