Neighbors devastated by child's death - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

STRUTHERS, Ohio - Neighbors of Shain Widdersheim say they are devastated by the death of young Theodore "Teddy" Foltz. Several lit candles on front porches in his memory and all say he was a kind, but shy boy.

"He was such a sweet little boy, he'd always smile always wave," Danielle Ginnetti says. "They never called him Ted, especially Zaryl [Bush], it was always "L.D.", always cussing at him, always saying distrurbing things."

Widdersheim and her ex-boyfriend Bush called him "L.D." because he had learning disabilities Ginnetti says.

"The system failed this child and I pray it doesn't happen again because I can't imagine how alone that child felt," Erin Fulton says. "There are all these people in the community that do care."

Fulton says many people called children's services and police to report the family because of their treatment of the children, even the school called.

"She would always make it a point to say we'd never hurt them," Fulton says. "Probably three weeks ago she told me. She knocked on my door and said somebody called children's services on her and she stood in my living room and told me they only thing they checked was to make sure they had a toilet and running water and food in the house."

Some of the neighbors believe the legal system that is supposed to help children like Teddy seems to protect the parent but not the child.

"They were alienated from anyone that could have helped," Fulton says. "It was a huge red flag and it was ignored and I just really hope it doesn't happen again."

Neighbors say they are relieved Teddy's twin 10-year-old brothers are now out of the house and somewhere safe.

Mahoning County Children's Services say they are conducting an investigation.