Death of 2-year-old in Allegheny County ruled homicide

Investigation into the toddler's death is ongoing

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:11pm

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An extreme close-up of a small, worn stuffed animal against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the victim and the grim nature of the crime.The tragic death of a young child sparks an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this homicide.Today in Pittsburgh

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has officially ruled the death of a 2-year-old girl a homicide. Sarah Darji was found unresponsive at a home in Pleasant Hills on April 7 and died days later at UPMC Children's Hospital. The medical examiner's report stated the cause of death was compression of the neck, but the investigation into what led to the toddler's death is still ongoing.

Why it matters

The death of a young child is always a tragic event that shakes a community. This ruling of homicide raises serious concerns and questions about the circumstances surrounding Sarah's death, and the investigation will be closely watched to determine if any charges will be filed.

The details

According to the medical examiner, 2-year-old Sarah Darji was found unresponsive at a home along McClellan Drive in Pleasant Hills on Tuesday, April 7. She was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead days later, on April 10. The medical examiner's report stated that the cause of death was compression of the neck and ruled it a homicide.

  • Sarah Darji was found unresponsive at a home in Pleasant Hills on April 7, 2026.
  • She died at UPMC Children's Hospital on April 10, 2026.

The players

Sarah Darji

A 2-year-old girl whose death was ruled a homicide by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.

Allegheny County Medical Examiner

The office that officially ruled Sarah Darji's death a homicide, stating the cause of death was compression of the neck.

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What’s next

The investigation into what led to Sarah Darji's death is still ongoing, and authorities have not yet announced if any charges will be filed.

The takeaway

The tragic death of a young child is always deeply concerning, and this ruling of homicide raises serious questions that the ongoing investigation will need to address in order to provide answers and accountability.