Infant tragedy
Baby sleeping with parents dies
A 5-WEEK-OLD Queens baby was found dead in her parents’ bed Monday — a tragedy that turned the spotlight on the dangers of co-sleeping.
The parents called police after they discovered Sophia Garcia — the couple’s only child — not breathing at 3:55 a.m. in their home on 99th Ave. near Springfield Blvd. in Queens Village.
Emergency responders rushed Sophia to Long Island Jewish Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her.
The medical examiner’s office was investigating the cause of death.
A preliminary police investigation found no history of domestic violence or calls for the Administration for Children’s Services to the family’s home, police sources said.
It remains unknown whether the parents smothered the child by accident or if her death was a result of getting tangled in the sheets or pillow.
Child welfare and health officials for both the city and the state advise parents that the best place for a baby to sleep is a crib.
“The (city) Administration for Children’s Services is saddened by this devastating news,” an ACS spokeswoman said Monday.
The spokeswoman also cited the agency’s “Sleep Safe” initiative, which issues guidelines to care givers on how to protect a sleeping child.
“To reduce sleep-related injury deaths, it is important that babies sleep alone, on their backs and in a crib,” she said.
In July, Gov. Cuomo signed a law that requires hospitals to give information about co-sleeping to all parents of newborns.
On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report with revised recommendations.
In it, the group said babies should be placed to sleep on their backs and on a firm mattress without loose sheets or blankets.
The organization also reiterated that parents should not sleep in the same bed with infants.
Two women sitting outside little Sophia’s home told the Daily News the baby’s death was not suspicious.
“We’re just doing what family does and trying to hold it all together,” said a cousin, who declined to give her name.
“They were loving parents. The baby . . . had already five photo shoots. That’s the kind of parents they were. Every detail was in place. This is just tragic.”