Two-month-old baby in state custody dies

Photo via WesterlyPolice.org

WPRO News and The Associated Press 

A two-month-old baby in the custody of state child welfare authorities has died.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families in an emailed statement Monday said the baby in temporary custody died overnight.

The agency and the Westerly police are investigating.

No additional information about the child or the circumstances of the death was immediately made public.

The department said it would release more information as it learns more about the death.

Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey issued a statement:

Good afternoon, the incident was reported to us at 1:50pm by the medical examiner’s office. We determined the child was transported to the hospital by parents a little after 11am and the child was pronounced at 12:23pm after resuscitation efforts failed. An autopsy was perform this morning and an active investigation is ongoing. The deceased is a 2 month old male and both parents reside in Westerly. The father was arrested for an outstanding bench warrant and violation of a no contact order with the mother being the protected party. Again the investigation is ongoing and further details will be released as they become available.