WEYMOUTH, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A 2-month-old girl died in Weymouth this week while under the watch of the Department of Children and Families.
At about 8 a.m. Thursday, the baby was taken to the hospital after her father called 911 and said she was not breathing, according to the Boston Herald.
An autopsy did not find any trauma to the body, officials say, and the cause of death will be determined by microscopic and toxicological testing.
DCF had opened a new case with the baby's family recently, but she was not in the department's custody, DCF spokeswoman Cayenne Isaaksen said.
"The Department is deeply saddened by this news. DCF had recently opened a case with this family when this tragic incident occurred. We received a report and the investigation is ongoing in coordination with law enforcement," Isaaksen said.
The baby lived with her mother, father and brother in a room at the Super 8 motel in Weymouth through the Department of Transitional Assistance program, the Boston Globe reported.
This comes after the deaths of a 2-week-old from Fitchburg and a 4-week-old from Grafton last month. Authorities say the family the 2-week-old baby was being monitored by state child welfare officials.
In the second case, a DCF spokeswoman says a fax from Grafton police about possible harm to a 4-week-old who later died was misplaced for six days. A DCF spokesperson said police officers are required by law to verbally report allegations of suspected child abuse or neglect and a fax was not sufficient. The investigation has been classified as an unattended death.
The body of a third child, 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver of Fitchburg, was found off a highway in April. Jeremiah's family was also under DCF supervision. Three DCF employees were fired for their handling of the Oliver case.
Cox Media Group
