TROTWOOD — Awaiting an autopsy report, Trotwood police are seeking the advice of prosecutors in their investigation into the death of 3-year-old Hope Dawn Cook.

"We will be talking with prosecutors, hopefully by the end of the week, looking for guidance on the case," Major Dan Swafford said Tuesday, July 29.

Hope died July 20 at Children's Medical Center, which notified police. Initial hospital reports said the child had skull fractures, police said. The autopsy report is pending.

The death has been ruled suspicious.

"That covers a multitude of things. It's something that needs to be looked into," Sgt. Erik Wilson has said.

According to the 9-1-1 tape, a neighbor said the child was on the floor having seizures. The caller said Hope had been in the bathtub prior to the seizures.

Since then, police have been trying to interview Hope's guardian, her 22-year-old half-sister.

"We're waiting to talk with her," Swafford said. He said detectives have contacted the woman but, so far, she had not come in for a formal interview.

Preble County Children's Service had placed Hope with the half-sister.

"I got in some trouble, then (we) lost custody," said Michael W. Cook, 45, Hope's biological father. Cook was released from prison July 2 after serving two years for attempted rape and gross sexual imposition.

"As far as I know, they were taking good care of her," Cook said July 24 following Hope's funeral. "It's tragic ... The poor little thing is gone."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2290 or dpage@DaytonDailyNews.com.