Baby died of SIDS at D.C. shelter

UPDATE:
The 5-week-old baby girl found dead at the Family Emergency Shelter at D.C. General Hospital in February died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, according to testimony Wednesday at the D.C. Council meeting.

Joi Buford, manager of the shelter operated by Families Forward, said the girl was discovered Feb. 7 in a room with her mother following the blizzard that hit the Washington region. According to the shelter's staff, the child likely died during the night while sleeping with her mother.

Clarence Carter, director of the D.C. Department of Human Services, said the infant died of SIDS and was in a bassinet.

-- Darryl Fears

3:20 p.m.
Baby died at D.C. shelter during blizzard

A 5-week-old infant was found dead at the Family Emergency Shelter at D.C. General Hospital in February, according to shelter managers testifying Wednesday at a D.C. Council meeting.

Joi Buford, manager of the shelter operated by Families Forward, said the girl was discovered Feb. 7 in a room with her mother following the blizzard that hit the Washington region. According to the shelter's staff, the child likely died during the night while sleeping with her mother.

Security personnel said an investigation could not determine how the child died.

The mother was asked whether the infant was placed in a crib or bassinet provided by the shelter. She said a bassinet, but her story could not be confirmed because no one else was present in the room when the baby died.

Officials at Families Forward declined to provide the name of the mother and child. Clarence Carter, director of DHS, said an autopsy has been completed. He would not say what the results of the autopsy were.

-- Darryl Fears