Police conclude toddler's death at a Scottsdale fire station an accident

What was supposed to be a fun tour of a Scottsdale firefighter station turned deadly when a 16-month-old boy was crushed by an accordion-style bay door in February.

Scottsdale police on Thursday released a 231-page report that paints a picture of desperation as medics tried to save the life of Joseph "Joey" Reiss, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

He died of injuries to his skull and brain. The police department's investigation is closed and the findings concluded the episode was an accident, said Sgt. Ben Hoster, a Scottsdale police spokesman.

Steve Hulsman, a lawyer for the Reiss family, said on Friday his law firm is conducting its own investigation.

Report: Door didn't malfunction

Firefighter David Bruns, who was at a Scottsdale fire station's kitchen preparing dinner, told police in an interview that he heard a "blood-curdling scream" coming from the boy's mother, according to the report.

He ran out of the kitchen and saw the mother, Courtney Reiss, point to her 16-month-old son, trapped between the folding door. He acted quickly.

Bruns said he ran toward the boy and tried to pry open the electronic door before it stopped, the report says.

The mother pulled out her son and handed him to Captain M.D. Clark, who rushed into the kitchen where she performed CPR on the boy, according to the report.

Clark said she had been giving a tour of a fire station truck to a different woman and her children when the incident occurred.

Clark told police that she "heard the mother start screaming, 'No, no, no, no.' And the door timed out and closed and then, it closed on the little guy," the report said.

She ran to push a button to open the door as Bruns tried to pry the door open, Clark told police.

The report indicates that the fire station doors close on their own after a fire truck leaves the station. Firefighters interviewed by police say the doors are on a timer to close either seconds or minutes after a truck exits.

Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon expressed condolence to Reiss' parents. Joey was their only child.

“This report reveals the heartbreaking story of a tragic accident that claimed a young life. We remain profoundly saddened and continue to extend our deepest sympathy and support for his family and the fire fighters involved," Shannon said in a statement.

The police report doesn't recommend any criminal charges or indicate the door malfunctioned.

Boy was visiting uncle at fire station

The boy was at the fire station that day to visit his uncle, who was on duty as a firefighter.

The uncle, Kris "Matt" Elliott told police he invited his 7-year-old stepdaughter, 1-year-old daughter and wife. She invited Courtney and Joey Reiss, and a friend who brought her own children.

After arriving back the station from an emergency call, Elliott and an engineer gave the older children a fire truck ride around the station's parking lot.

Joey Reiss and Elliot's 1-year-old daughter stayed at the station with their mothers.

Elliott completed his ride with the older kids and noticed something was wrong, the report says.

He got out of the truck, saw his sister-in-law was distraught and tried to console her.

"I didn't want her alone. ... I couldn't imagine it being my one year old," Elliott told police, according to a transcript of a police interview. "So I kinda just did my best to shield her from as much trauma."

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