PONTIAC (WWJ) -- First responders in Pontiac were unable to resuscitate a baby who had stopped breathing while sleeping in the same bed as her father, providing a tragic reminder that sleep-related infant deaths still occur.
Just before 3 p.m. on Thursday, sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call about a baby who was found unresponsive by her mother.
As officers headed to the scene, they encountered the mother -- already in her car -- driving the infant girl to the hospital. She got out of her vehicle and rushed the baby over to the deputies.
The Waterford Regional Fire Department captain was also present and began performing CPR in the front seat of the squad car as they drove the rest of the way to the emergency room.
Attempts to revive the baby were unsuccessful, and the infant died a short time later.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the baby had been sleeping in the same bed as her father. An autopsy was performed Friday, and though the results are still pending, there were no signs of foul play.
"Sadly, we have seen far too many of these tragedies," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "It’s a crushing reminder that we need to have infants sleeping in an appropriate environment."
Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, per the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Related
As many as half of these deaths tend to result from unsafe sleeping environments, such as soft bedding, sharing beds, or sleeping in accident prone positions.
OCSO, along with the Oakland County Health Division, have run the Cops-n-Cribs program since 2015. Through the initiative, they provide free, portable cribs to families in need, ensuring a safe sleep environment for infants. Information about the program is available here.
In addition to using a crib, the American Academy of Pediatrics also has a Guide for Safe Sleep and Bed-Sharing:
-- Parents should never sleep with a baby if they use drugs, drink or smoke-- -- Premature or underweight babies should not sleep in their parents' bed
-- Babies should never sleep on recliners, chairs, couches or water beds
-- Babies who aren't breastfed have an increased risk of SIDS
-- Regardless of where the infant sleeps, always place an infant on its back
-- Toddlers or older children should not sleep next to infants
-- Use light sleep clothes and light blankets
-- Keep pillows or items that could obstruct breathing away from infants
-- Sleep on a firm mattress that is on the floor
Related
