Coroner: Baby death ruled a homicide

Preliminary autopsy results indicated that the death of a 14-month-old boy Sunday was a homicide, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.

Harris said deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Lee Road 240 in Smiths Station after a 911 call Sunday morning.

Upon arrival, he said deputies discovered an unresponsive baby boy. The child was transported to Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, where he was pronounced dead, he said.

An autopsy is mandatory in any infant death, Harris said.

Initially, there were no indications that the death was a homicide, he said.

But findings in the preliminary autopsy showed “he had internal injuries that ruled it a homicide,” Harris said.

Harris would not disclose more information about the cause of death. He said the sheriff’s office is investigating and charges are pending.