Tarrant County authorities say it could be weeks before the cause of death is determined for a 47-year-old Fort Worth man who was being held in a chokehold by his 16-year-old stepson.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said Michael Anthony Heath had been restraining his stepson at the family apartment while the boy's mother was trying to discipline him by hitting him with a wooden stick.
During the struggle, the teen put his stepfather in a chokehold and he became unresponsive. Police officers arrived and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but it was too late. Heath was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Child Protective Services is investigating the case.
Authorities are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before ruling on a cause of death. Police said the 16-year-old has been released to the custody of a relative while their investigation continues.
