Mass. DA: Chest where 2 children died was recalled; autopsies indicate 'tragic accident'

FRANKLIN, Mass. – A Massachusetts district attorney says a latching hope chest where a young brother and sister died after apparently becoming trapped had been recalled by the manufacturer years ago.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Tuesday that preliminary autopsy results indicate the deaths of the 8-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy at their Franklin home on Sunday were a "tragic accident."

Morrissey said the chest was made in 1939 and was among those recalled by the Lane Furniture Company in 1996 because of the danger children could be trapped inside. He said people who own similar chests should consider disabling their latches.

Morrissey hasn't released the children's names. A neighbor, Dawn Powers, said they were Lexi Munroe and her brother, Sean Munroe. Lexi was a friend of Powers' daughter.