Deputies doing their part to help prevent infant sleep-related deaths

By Gena Latrell
glatrell@americanpress.com

Thirteen infants have died in Calcasieu Parish so far this year, according to Charlie Hunter Jr., chief investigator for the Calcasieu Coroner’s Office. And, he said, most of them are preventable.

That’s why Calcasieu sheriff’s deputies are being trained through the Cops N’ Cribs program to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths. The effort, which started last year, is a partnership with the sheriff’s office, the SWLA Safe Sleep Task Force and the coroner’s office.

Deputies attend four mandatory information sessions on safe-sleep education, concentrating on the risk factors of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. SIDS has no known cause, while overlay/suffocation deaths are mostly preventable.

“Deputies will learn how to recognize potentially dangerous situations as they respond to calls for service throughout the parish and in turn, inform families and caregivers on the importance of safe sleeping practices,” said Kim Myers, sheriff’s spokesperson.

Arica Reed said her son, Kaden, was six months old when he died while a friend’s sister was baby-sitting him. Hunter later told her Kaden was placed in an adult bed so he could nap. 

“He got wedged between the mattress and the wall and suffocated,” Reed said. “That didn’t sit well with me because it was preventable — it was something that could’ve been stopped.”

Michelle McInnis, a volunteer with the task force, said it’s important to put an end to these tragedies. She said residents continue to volunteer their time to educate others on safe sleep for infants.

“We don’t want families to go through this,” McInnis said.

One of the main risk factors, McInnis said, involves a baby’s sleep position. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 1992 that babies sleep on their backs. Since that time, she said infant deaths have dropped by 50 percent.

McInnis suggested knowing the ABC’s of safe sleeping. 

“Babies should sleep alone, on their backs and in their own cribs,” she said. 

Once deputies finish the final training session, scheduled for Monday, they will be certified as Cops N’ Cribs partners.

SportsPlus

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

Business

Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as massive bird flu outbreak leads to soaring prices

Local News

Federal judge blocks enforcement of La. police ‘buffer-zone’ law

Local News

Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance opens new offices

Local News

NY shields abortion pill prescribers after doctor indicted in La.

McNeese Sports

Cowboys win by a tick

Business

Wall Street swerves lower after Trump announces tariffs and then puts some on hold

Local News

A heart for kids: New Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO driven to help others

McNeese Sports

Hot-shooting Nicholls guns down Pokes

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls struggle early, fall to Nicholls

Informer

The Informer: Floods followed in wake of 1940 Gulf Coast storm

Business

Economic advisor: Collaboration, focus on workforce development key

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Professor back in classroom

life

String theory: Thompson rediscovers her art voice in fabrics

Local News

Qualifying ends, ballots set for March election

Crime

1/31: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

life

Southwest District Livestock Show: Time again to hit the dirt

Crime

Former veterinarian found not guilty in rape of young girls at Kinder casino

McNeese Sports

Cowboys end road trip at Nicholls

Local News

UPDATE: La. fourth-graders in the top five in nation for math growth