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Akron Gets 3rd Case in '06 of Baby Dying Outside Crib: Father Rolls Onto Child; No Charges Expected

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 April 2006, 09:01 CDT

By Marilyn Miller, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Apr. 5--For the third time this year, an Akron baby has died accidentally while sleeping outside the crib.

Akron police said Tuesday morning that 13-month-old Adam Kavosick Jr. of Annapolis Avenue was pronounced dead at Akron Children's Hospital after his father rolled over on him in the night.

According to Dr. Daryl Steiner, vice president of the Summit County Child Fatality Review Board, deaths from unsafe sleeping environments are on the rise.

"There were 27 unexpected infant deaths in Summit County between 2002 and 2004. Out of that number, 15 died from an unsafe sleeping environment," he said. "That's more than half. It is clearly a problem."

The second leading cause of unexpected deaths among children in Summit County was homicide, followed by sudden infant death syndrome.

Steiner defines an unsafe sleeping environment as an adult bed, with or without an adult in the bed, too; or a sofa, chair or pillow -- anywhere but a crib.

In the latest case, Akron police Lt. Richard A. Edwards said the parents called 911 about 6:45 a.m. Edwards said the parents reported the baby was sick during the night and woke up about 4 a.m. The mother gave the baby a bottle, then placed him on the couch with his father. Adam Kavosick Sr. accidentally rolled onto the child, and when he woke up two hours later, the baby wasn't breathing.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy Tuesday afternoon. Preliminary results showed no signs of abuse, neglect or foul play.

Police said they don't expect charges to be filed.

Investigators said all three infant deaths reported in the last 32 days appear to be accidental.

On March 2, a 4-month-old boy on North Howard Street fell out of his parents' bed. "The dad heard him fussing and put him in the bed with him, but the infant apparently fell into the drywall and was upside down, caught in between the rafters," Edwards said. "He fell into a hole in the wall."

On March 14, a 9-month-old girl on Burkhardt Avenue in South Akron was placed at the bottom of the bed by her 31-year-old foster brother. The baby was fretting and the foster brother, who is in the Reserves, was home visiting from basic training.

"He went into the room to settle her down," Edwards said. "He brought her into his room and placed her on the foot of the bed for about 15 minutes."

That was enough time, he said, for the baby "to get stuck between the mattress and footboard."

Steiner said the review board has found children can be asphyxiated by becoming entangled in bed linens or when an adult rolls onto them.

The pediatrician said putting a child on his or her back in a crib is the safest way for them to sleep. Parents who place their child elsewhere need to know the risks.

"Co-sleeping with a child is popular and, even though it seems like the right thing to do, one must realize it comes with a risk -- a risk of the baby dying," Steiner said.

"Nothing is more tragic than an adult waking up to find the baby dead at their side."

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

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Source: Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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