Sheboygan Falls Police Department confirms 8-year-old abuse victim has died

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis (CBS 58) -- Sheboygan Falls Police Department has confirmed that an 8-year-old victim known as Oliver has died due to injuries suffered from abuse. 

During a press conference Saturday morning Chief of Police Eric Miller confirmed that the boy had died due to strangulation, allegedly by the boy's mother. 

"This is something no family should ever have to go through," said Miller,"unfortunately, with a heavy heart and deep remorse I do have to report that Oliver Hitchcock passed away [Friday] at 2:55 in the afternoon, his family was by his side."

Oliver's mom, who's name is expected in a criminal complaint yet to come, was taken to a hospital due to self inflicted wounds after what happened.

Initially, police were seeking just intentional homicide charges, that all changed when Oliver died at Children's Wisconsin.

"The referred charges to the [District Attorney's] office will reflect 1 count of first degree intentional homicide, and 1 count of intentional homicide," said Miller.

He said that intentional homicide charge was due to another incident in the household, but there's no word on who she was allegedly targeting.

The community is starting the healing process, schools and police are offering mental health assistance in the coming days and weeks.

"We have some tough days ahead for our families, our students, our staff, our crisis team is mobilized and will be on site throughout the week," said Sheboygan Falls School District Superintendent Annalee Bennin.

She said they're working on how to respond right now.

"To put together the messaging and what that will look like at every grade level and then specific to classrooms that were more closely effected," said Bennin.

Oliver's uncle set up a GoFundMe for Oliver's family.

Oliver's Uncle says his brother now faces being a single father to Oliver's 11-year-old brother.

"There will be an autopsy later on this week, but the initial response I can say was due to strangulation," said Chief Miller. 

The mother was taken into custody on Friday, April 1 while the boy was transported to the hospital. 

Sheboygan Falls hasn't released the name of the mother or the family and will do so when formal charges are filed. 

Family members of the boy have started a fundraiser for Oliver's family, which can be found here.