Coroner: 6-month-old boy died from infection; Miamisburg investigation ongoing

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The death of a 6-month-old boy who died at a Miamisburg hospital last month was natural, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

The cause of death was a mixed viral and bacterial infection, said Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger.

The baby was pronounced dead at Dayton Children’s Hospital south campus on Sept. 29.

Miamisburg police are continuing to investigate. Sgt. Jeff Muncy confirmed the investigation is still open and police have a couple things left to do before the case can be closed.

Around 10:22 a.m. on Sept. 29, Miamisburg officers responded to the 300 block of South Second Street for a death investigation, according to a case report.

The infant’s mother received interim temporary custody of him on Sept. 24 after he was previously hospitalized due to failure to thrive, according to Montgomery County Juvenile Court records.

Montgomery County Children Services received a referral regarding the family on March 4, a day after the boy was born.

During a meeting with the family on April 3, the boy appeared to be “very skinny,” according to court documents. Children Services told the mother to have the baby seen by a pediatrician in the next few days to make sure he was a healthy weight.

When Children Services called the mother a week later, she reportedly said she had been sick and hadn’t taken her son to a pediatrician. Children Services told her to have her son seen at an urgent care or pediatrician’s office within 24 hours.

The mother informed Children Services that evening she took her son to Dayton Children’s South. When Children Services spoke to hospital staff, they confirmed they saw the boy and he weighed 5.94 pounds and was diagnosed with failure to thrive.

The boy was transported and admitted to Dayton Children’s Hospital in Dayton. Over the next two days, he gained 153 grams. Staff reported he had no medical issues and was able to take a bottle, according to court records.

During a court hearing on April 16, Children Services received custody of the boy due to concerns about parenting abilities, the mother’s mental health and domestic violence, according to court documents.

The mother previously told Children Services the boy’s father had elbowed her during an argument and threatened to “bash both her and this child’s head in,” according to court records. The mother and child were living with her grandmother.

A case plan was created, and the mother was granted parenting time.

“Since then, the child has put on weight well and seems to be improving significantly,” read court documents filed June 10. “Mother has been cooperative with (Children Services) and has quickly made progress on her case plan objectives.”

During a status review on Sept. 24, the mother’s attorney motioned for her to receive interim temporary custody. Children Services and the guardian ad litem — a third-party representative for the boy — agreed with the interim temporary custody motion, according to court records.

The case file noted the mother made significant progress on her case plan and was willing and able to care for her son.

The mother also has an 18-month-old son who remained in her custody under protective supervision. Protective supervision allows the child to remain with their guardian or parent while the family works on a case plan.

The protective supervision period was set to last six months and expire on Jan. 7.

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