Father speaks about young girl's death

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Autopsy results are in on a girl who died under mysterious circumstances , in Amherst.

The Medical Examiner's Office says the cause death of eight-year-old Bianca Cartagena is asphyxiation.

The child was found dead in her mother's home in Amherst.

Bianca's body was discovered by relatives at the mother's home on Greengage Circle in Amherst, on November 30th.

The mother, Candace, was found in a shed in the backyard.

Ruben Cartegena, Bianca's father, joined News 4 at Noon.

When asked what he would like to see, now that he knows the cause of death, Ruben said, "I'd like to see charges brought against Candace."

Ruben shared details on why he believes it was Candace, Bianca's mother, who is to blame. "She was jealous because we were going to Disney the next day, and Bianca obviously never made that trip because her body was found."

Ruben tells News 4 he has been working with authorities to figure out what happened.

News 4 has obtained a copy of the autopsy report on Bianca Cartagena.

Here is the opinion of acting Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Dianne Vertes and Associate Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jonrika M. Malone:

Drs. Vertes and Malone have read this report and agree with the above diagnoses. (Asphyxia.) The death of this 8-year-old female is attributed to asphyxia of unknown etiology. The most likely mechanisms of asphyxia in this age group are smothering or compression of the chest. Smother results from covering the mouth and nose, with restriction of the airway. The mouth and nose could be covered by a hand or the face may be buried in a pillow. With compression of the chest, the ribs fail to elevate to allow for expansion of the lungs. A knee might be pressed against the back or an adult might overlay a child. As suggested by these examples, either smothering or chest compression can be deliberately caused or a result of an accident. Because there is no test to distinguish which scenario led to this child's death, the manner of death is best certified as undetermined.

Cause of Death: Asphyxia

Manner of Death: Undetermined