Police Don’t Expect To File Charges In Baby’s Death

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Police were called to a Northeast Side home and don’t expect to file criminal charges after a 4-month-old baby died Tuesday.

NBC 4’s Patrick Preston reported from the scene with the FAST FACTS.

CPD was called to a Melrose Avenue home at about 11:30 a.m. The young boy’s mother called 911 to report her child in distress.

“I found my 4-month-old son facedown,“ the mother told a dispatcher.

CPD officers found a 4-month-old baby boy near a bed in a bedroom.

Confusion began when a paramedic later called police to report how the child had been discovered.

“It was found in a bag with bruises and stuff on it,“ the paramedic reported in a phone call to 911.

Initial reports that the baby was discovered in a plastic bag proved wrong. Plastic apparently was in the bedroom where the baby was found.

The baby was in full cardiac arrest when authorities arrived and during transport to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital after noon.

“At this time it does not appear to be criminal in nature,“ CPD’s Sgt. Rich Weiner said.

Police said they believe the baby was sleeping with an adult and the adult might have rolled over on the baby.

“It doesn’t happen very often, but it certainly can happen. As prevention, we certainly suggest that families don’t co-sleep,“ Nationwide Pediatrician William Cotton said.

Cotton said parents who think they are protecting their infant by staying close and sleeping in the same bed do not realize the harm they can cause.

“The easiest way to avoid this is to have the child sleep in their own crib. If you don’t want to be away from your child, you can put the crib or bassinet in your own bedroom so they’re right at your side.“

Columbus police said they would await the results of an autopsy before reaching a final conclusion.

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