THE parents of a four-year-old who died suddenly in care are seeking answers.

Exhaustive post mortem tests are being carried out on Jonas Stadden but the results might not be known until four to six months after his death.

Jonas, who had Down’s Syndrome, was airlifted to hospital from his foster carers’ home after he stopped breathing on November 24.

He was declared dead at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital.

Police concluded there was nothing suspicious about his death, while West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose has opened a formal investigation.

An interim death certificate gives the cause of death as ‘unascertained’ while a paediatric pathologist carries out tests, which can take a number of months to complete.

Jonas’ father, Haydn Stadden, who lives in Taunton, said: “He’d been unwell for a couple of days but we were devastated when we were told he’d died.

“It seems he just collapsed and as parents we are naturally distraught and want to know what caused his death.

“He was a lovely, loving boy who laughed a lot but he couldn’t talk and communicated with us by signs.”

His mother, Sara Russell, said: “It’s heartbreaking and not knowing what caused his death makes it worse.”

Jonas had been in foster care since last April following a court ruling.

A Social Services spokesman said: “This is a very sad story and our sympathies are with the family as they try to come to terms with Jonas’ death.

“We are providing support for them and fully understand their call for all the reasons behind his death to be available and made public.

“The delay is a national issue and is frustrating for us and we fully understand how this must make it even worse for the family.”