Sheriff: Death of 3-year-old Russian boy in US ruled accidental, investigation ongoing

ODESSA, Texas – Authorities say the death of a 3-year-old Russian boy adopted by a West Texas couple has been ruled an accident.

Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland says Max Shatto died due to an internal laceration of an artery due to self-inflicted blunt trauma. Bland says bruises on the boy’s body were from self-inflicted hitting and that no drugs were found in Max’s system.

Alan and Laura Shatto adopted Max and his half brother last fall. Laura Shatto told authorities she found Max unresponsive outside the family’s Gardendale, Texas, home Jan. 21. He was later pronounced dead.

Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson says the investigation continues.

Russian authorities have blamed the Shattos for Max’s death and used the case as justification for a recently ban on American adoptions of Russian children.