Justice Sought One Year After Palatine Boy's Death

PALATINE, IL — While many parents get their children ready to safely trick-or-treat on Halloween in a world clouded by changes due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Saturday marks one year since a local family's world went completely dark. James Ryker Biel was just 2-years-old when he died on Oct. 31, 2019. Nearly one year later, Biel's mother and many who love and cared for the toddler continue pushing for Palatine police to reopen the investigation into her son's death.

Biel's mother, Kara Witkowski, has organized several peaceful protests following news of the results from a second autopsy performed on the toddler by a licensed and experienced forensic pathologist, according to Witkowski. Through the assistance of legal aid, Kara could view her son's neck organs, heart and brain at the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner. Her findings were that her son's death was caused by trauma to his cervical spinal cord, hindering the toddler's ability to breathe, and therefore leading to hypoxia, brain swelling and death. Both Palatine Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services have been informed more investigation is required.

The Death of James Ryker Biel

Police responded around 9:50 p.m. on Halloween to the 1300 block of East Evergreen Drive in Palatine for a medical emergency, according to a news release from the Palatine Police Department.

According to a police report, the boy was on a bed in the master bedroom playing with an electronic device after his father, Thomas Biel, left for work. A woman in the family caring for James went to take a shower, and when she returned, she thought he was asleep on the bed, according to the report. But the woman noticed James' lips were blue, and she called for help, the report notes.

The report says the child's father, Thomas Biel, told police he left for work at 9:35 p.m., during which James seemed to be healthy and "responsive." Biel added that before leaving, James felt warm, and he was going to take him to the pediatrician the next morning. Biel said he then left James in the woman's care and went to work.

Police noted they saw "small red bubble" coming from James' nostril, and red-colored foam in his mouth. He was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, and despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics and then hospital personnel, James was pronounced dead, according to the police report.

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Palatine area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Related:

• Mom Wants Case Reopened In Son's Death After Independent Autopsy
• Palatine Mom Holds Protest, Wants Investigation Into Son's Death
• Police Investigate Death of Boy, 2, in Palatine
• 'The Sweetest Little Boy': DCFS Looks Into Palatine Boy's Death
• Autopsy Sheds No New Light On Palatine Boy's Death

Witkowski said the police report mentioned nothing about any sort of incident, and wonders how could this be an "accident."

Until someone is held accountable for her son's death, Witkowski told Patch she will continue to demand justice for her little boy.

Witkowski also launched a Change.org campaign to urge police to reopen the case. As of Friday, nearly 7,000 people had signed it.

More:

• Autopsy Finds Boulder Hill Child Died Of Drug Overdose
• 1 Year Later, AJ's Memory Lives On

Witkowski told Patch last month that she and a photographer/videographer were interviewing people and using footage from protests to create a documentary centered on her late son's case.

Witkowski is also pushing to get full custody of her daughter, now 5, who she said was there the night her younger brother died.

"It is imperative for the safety of my living daughter that we know what caused the trauma to James," Witkowski stated.

Patch will continue updating this story.