Police rule infant's death a homicide

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A 7-week-old baby spent five days at Women and Children's Hospital before doctors pronounced him dead. Now Buffalo Police are investigating his death as a homicide.

When admitted on November 10, doctors told police it was most likely the baby was shaken. Officers say they were told when they responded that day to a home on Heath Street in Buffalo that the baby had been laying down after being fed when he began gasping for air.

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First responders performed CPR, reviving the unresponsive infant, before the baby was rushed to Sisters Hospital, and then later taken to the pediatric ICU at Women and Children's Hospital.

The infant remained on life support for five days before being pronounced dead. Doctors had already suspected shaken baby syndrome, finding the baby had suffered multiple hemorrhages and had indications of seizure activity. An autopsy performed showed the baby suffered blunt force trauma to the head, causing brain damage, optical hemorrhaging and spinal column injury.

Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Dennis Richards said, "The baby was under the care of its parents. And as in any investigation, all the parties that may be involved will certainly be talked to by our detectives."

Police are now saying this is a homicide case. But currently, no one has been charged in the investigation.

"The parents initially had cooperated with our officers during the initial phase of this investigation, but I can say at this time the parents are not cooperating with our homicide squad," Chief Richards said.

Authorities say they will not reveal details of what they think happened until someone is charged with killing the baby.