Police, coroner investigating death of Pa. baby

November 22, 2004|by DON AINES

WAYNESBORO, PA. - Washington Township police and the Franklin County Coroner's Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an infant who died Thursday night at Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center.

Kaden Michael Barrett, 3 months, of 5261 Buchanan Trail East, was declared dead at Hershey at 10 p.m. Thursday, Coroner Jeffrey R. Conner said Sunday. An autopsy was performed Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown, Pa., he said.

Conner said he was not releasing the cause and manner of death at this time, "so as not to impede the investigation."

"We're not finished with our investigation," Officer Bryan Chappell of the Washington Township Police Department said Sunday. He said he could not discuss details.

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the infant's death, Chappell said.

Emergency medical personnel and police were called to Barrett's home Wednesday at about 4:35 p.m. Police said Thursday it was for a report of an injured baby whom rescue personnel said was in cardiac arrest.

Barrett was taken to Waynesboro Hospital and then flown to Hershey Medical Center, police said.

Although the child died in Dauphin County, Conner said he requested the Dauphin County Coroner's Office release jurisdiction in Barrett's death to him so he could assist in the local investigation.

Born Aug. 22, 2004, Barrett was the son of Kristin L. Heckman of Fayetteville, Pa., and Shane M. Barrett of Zullinger, Pa., according to his obituary.

Services will be Tuesday held at 2 p.m. at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home in Waynesboro, according to the obituary.

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