Police said the man thought his 3-year-old daughter was dead on the porch. The officer immediately went to the porch and found that the 3-year-old was unconscious and unresponsive.

The St. Paul Fire paramedics responded and pronounced the child dead at the scene, St. Paul Police said.

Mother Ciasha Lee, 29, and father John Lee, 42, were taken to the St. Paul Police Department for questioning. After an interview, they were both sent to Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of murder.

At the time of death, five other children, aged 9 months to 11 years, were at home. They have all been placed in the care of Ramsey County Child Protection.

The department’s Forensics Services Unit will work on the scene to find physical evidence telling the story that led to this death.

“These types of calls will be remembered by officers for their careers,” said Sgt. Mike Ernster of the Saint Paul Police Department. “When I respond to these calls as a patrol officer, I think more of my own children and almost see them in that position. It’s heartbreaking and extremely tragic.”

The Ramsey County medical examiner will uniquely identify the victim and determine the exact cause of death at a later date.