Sikeston infant's death may have been accidental

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Following the apparent accidental death of an infant in Sikeston, local authorities there were warning parents against sleeping with their young children.

Benjamin Holstein, 1 month, was pronounced dead at 1:28 a.m. Wednesday at Missouri Delta Medical Center, according to a news release from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

The child was reported as not breathing, and he was taken to the medical center by his father.

A pathologist ruled the death to be suspicious, but only because no natural cause of death could be found, the release stated.

According to investigators, the infant was likely accidentally suffocated from sleeping in the same bed with a parent.

"Don't sleep in the bed with these infants," police Capt. Mark Crocker said. "The consequences are just too tragic."

Such consequences include the baby suffocating from the loose bedding, pillows or a parent rolling over on them, said Dr. Jennifer Reintjes, a pediatrician at Missouri Delta.

Results of the investigation into Benjamin's death, handled by Sikeston police, Missouri Children Division and the Scott County Juvenile Office, would be turned over to the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Crocker said. To his recollection, no charges had been filed in similar cases in the last two years.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127