LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas police are investigating the death of an infant in the 4600 block of Eugene Avenue near Decatur Boulevard and Smoke Ranch Road Thursday morning.
It was initially reported that the child was eight months old. However, the child may have been much younger.
The call was received at 7:51 a.m. Medical personnel pronounced the baby dead at the scene.
Police are saying that the child was co-sleeping before its death.
This incident only adds to the number of co-sleeping deaths involving infants as a total of 3,700 babies die each year due to sleep-related deaths, according to reports.
The coroner’s office reported 31 of those infants died in Nevada with 21 in Clark County, and experts say all of the deaths are preventable.
Kim Amato, the founder of Baby's Bounty, says to have your baby sleep alone in his or her own crib.
"The baby is alone, on their back, no loose bedding, wearing a sleep sack - also with a ventilated pack and play, with a snap on bassinet attachment to keep the baby up higher so its closest to you when your sleeping," Amato said.
Experts like Amato and authorities warn parents about the potential dangers of co-sleeping.
"The most important thing is the baby always needs to be alone, on their back...in a crib — no loose blankets. No stuffed toys," Amato said.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Unit is investigating this incident, which is standard procedure when there is an unusual death of a child.
The Clark County coroner will also determine the official cause of death.
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Additionally, police say that a family member was involved in a crash a short distance away after the baby was discovered. That person was upset about what was happening and is not believed to be directly connected to the death at this time.
