Middletown infant’s death spurs new warning to parents

Local health MIDDLETOWN — officials are reminding parents and caregivers of safe sleeping habits for infants after a 15-day-old Middletown baby died while sleeping in its mother’s bed, according to Middletown police.

Detectives were called to the teen mother’s home Wednesday morning on a report of a baby boy not breathing. Middletown paramedics transported the child to Atrium Medical Center, but were unable to revive him.

The mother had fed the child earlier and then had lain down with the baby in her bed.

“About an hour later mom wakes up, notices the baby is blue, not breathing,” Middletown Police Lt. Scott Reeve said.

The mother called 911, and a preliminary investigation indicated the baby was positioned in such a way its air supply was cut off, according to Reeve.

Reeve said detectives are not sure yet if the mother rolled over on the baby or if the baby’s face was pressed into the bed’s mattress or pillow. There were no signs of trauma or abuse to the child, he said.

“It is just one of those tragedies that occur when someone is sleeping with their baby,” Reeve said. “Everybody is heartbroken about it.”

Warren County Coroner Dr. Russell Uptegrove said this case appears to be an unfortunate accident that happens all too often when parents sleep with infants.