(NBC NEWS) -Â A man and his seven children, ages 6 to 16, were found dead in a home Monday in the southern Maryland peninsula town of Princess Anne, but no foul play was suspected, police told NBC News.
The Daily Times of Salisbury quoted police as saying they believed the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. An official cause of death was pending a medical examiner's report Tuesday.
Princess Anne Police Chief Scott Keller identified the victims as Rodney Todd Sr., 36, and his seven children. Their bodies were found inside the house, which was locked and undisturbed, when police responded Monday afternoon to a report about a co-worker who was missing.
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Keller said the man's car was parked out front but that police got no answer at the door. A landlord let the officers in. The home had no electricity, but officers found a generator that had run out of fuel, he told NBC News.
Stephanie Wells, a family friend, said Todd hadn't been able to keep up with his electric bills and the power had been shut off.
"I just feel that the system failed him," Wells said. "They didn't reach out to help him with his utility bills."
Todd's mother said her son was a hard-working and devoted father to his children, of whom he'd had custody for about three years.
"My son was a good son," said Bonnie Edwards, the children's grandmother. "Not only was he my son — that was my friend. I could call and talk to my son about anything."
Edwards added: "You couldn't ask for a better father. You couldn't ask for a better man."