Autistic boy, 6, is found at home with dead mother

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — An autistic boy who missed three days of school was found by his kindergarten teachers at home — watching cartoons and unaware that his mother was dead in the same apartment.

Renee Specht and Sandra Owens became worried when 6-year-old Tremaine Douglas did not show up for class and went on their lunch break last week to look for him.

They found the youngster in his underwear in the messy apartment, watching television. Authorities believe he had been alone for three days, living off cereal and Pop Tarts.

The medical examiner's office said the mother died of congestive heart failure.