3-Month-Old Infant Dies Of Asphyxiation After Co-Sleeping With Mother, Woman Charged With Child Abuse

A mother in Concord, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with child abuse and manslaughter after her 3-month-old daughter died due to asphyxiation as a result of co-sleeping.

According to the Concord Police Department, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Kayla Mitchell, was arrested after her infant daughter was found unresponsive in their home.

Upon receiving a 911 call regarding an unresponsive infant, the Concord Police, along with Cabarrus County EMS and Concord Fire & Life Safety, responded to a home on 325, Harold Goodman Circle on April 4 morning.

The officers on arrival found the infant unresponsive and immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital. The child, despite receiving intensive medical attention, was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation conducted by the Concord Police Department revealed that the infant died of asphyxiation as a result of co-sleeping with Mitchell.

Asphyxiation is a condition or process when someone is deprived of oxygen. The suffocation can result in the person falling unconscious and, in extreme cases, can even lead to death.

According to the police, Mitchell had previously undergone investigations relating to co-sleeping with her other children. The investigations were conducted by the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services (DSS).

Co-sleeping means sleeping in close proximity to one’s children. It can also mean when someone sleeping in the same bed or close by in the same room with a child.

The officials say that Mitchell, despite receiving repeated warnings and advice from the DSS, continued to engage in co-sleeping with her infant child and her other children.

The Cabarrus County District Attorney’s office reviewed the investigation and noticing the seriousness of the issue and also considering it as a repeated offense, issued a warrant with criminal charges.

Mitchell surrendered to the police and was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Felony Child Abuse. She was booked into the Cabarrus County Jail. A $150,000 bond was set on her.

In a similar incident that was reported in Wisconsin, a 19-year-old mother was arrested and charged with child abuse after her 3-month-old baby was hospitalized and diagnosed with a near-fatal brain hemorrhage.