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Bronx baby’s death likely due to sleeping relative rolling onto her: Police – Metro US

Bronx baby’s death likely due to sleeping relative rolling onto her: Police

Bronx baby’s death likely due to sleeping relative rolling onto her: Police
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A Bronx baby was killed Saturday by what police suspect may have been a sleeping relative, the New York Daily News reported.

It appeared that 6-month-old Zalaiah Lewis was rolled onto by a family member in her sleep, likely causing her to suffocate. She was rushed to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center around 7 a.m. Saturday when police were called to her family’s Morris Heights home at 20 Richman Plaza, the Daily News added. Despite efforts to save Lewis after she had fallen unconscious, she was later pronounced dead.

An autopsy has been arranged to officially determine the cause of death as the investigation continues.

Lewis’ story is not only tragic, but all too familiar. Just weeks ago, a 1-month-old in Queens died after her mother rolled on top of her while sleeping, authorities suspected.

The NYC Department of Health reports that around 80 percent of the city’s infant deaths by injury are sleep-related. It is recommended that parents do not share beds with small children and instead place children in a crib beside their bed if they wish to share a room. The de Blasio administration has tried to stem infant deaths such as these by actively promoting education on safer sleeping among parents and their newborns.