Police investigate deaths of babies

Cathy Scott

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The deaths of two infants in separate incidents are being investigated as possible homicides, Metro Police said.

The most recent death, that of 5-month-old Tanner William Mead, who died about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, is being looked into by homicide detectives, Metro Police said.

The 33-year-old father, who was watching the baby boy while the mother was at work, told investigators that his son had been acting groggy and was having trouble breathing before he lapsed into unconsciousness.

"The father called the mother instead of 911 to tell her that the baby was having trouble breathing," homicide Sgt. Bill Keeton said. "He said he found the baby groggy."

Because the father was getting ready to take a shower, he told police he put the baby under the water to try to revive him, Keeton said. He also said he tried CPR.

After the father called 911, paramedics arrived at the family's apartment, near Washington Avenue and Rainbow Boulevard, and took the infant to University Medical Center, where he later died.

A spokeswoman for the Clark County coroner's office said an autopsy, performed Thursday, did not determine the exact cause of death. Further examinations were being done, Keeton said. The baby had some injuries but the extent of those injuries wasn't known, Keeton said.

On Jan. 8, 2-month-old Frances Motti died from undetermined causes. Metro's abuse and neglect detectives are investigating the case as a possible homicide.

Further tests were being done today by the coroner to determine the exact cause of death, a coroner's office spokeswoman said.