Ohio woman faces charges after losing second baby to co-sleeping death
Death of six-week-old considered homicide as mother had been warned of dangers by officials
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An Ohio woman faces charges after she lost her second child in a co-sleeping death, according to authorities.
Officials in Cincinnati say that Brooke Hunter’s six-week-old infant died in June as a result of co-sleeping, one year after her first child died in the same way.
The Hamilton County Prosector’s Office says that Ms Hunter had been warned about the dangers of the practice after the death of her first child.
Prosecutors say that because Ms Hunter was warned of the dangers of co-sleeping, the death of her second child is considered a homicide, reports WXIX.
A grand jury indicted Ms Hunter on Wednesday on counts of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Co-sleeping is where a parent sleeps in close physical contact with a baby, often sharing the same bed, and is strongly discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Physicians warn that co-sleeping with small children in a bed greatly increases the risks of suffocation.
“The AAP understands and respects that many parents choose to routinely bed share for a variety of reasons, including facilitation of breastfeeding, cultural preferences, and a belief that it is better and safer for their infant,” the Academy has said.
“However, on the basis of evidence, the AAP is unable to recommend bed sharing under any circumstances.”