INFANT DEATH

THE LEFLORE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING A SUDDEN INFANT DEATH CASE IN ITTA BENA. OFFICIALS TELL US SIX MONTH OLD LEDERREK ROSS WAS RUSHED TO THE GREENWOOD-LEFLORE EMERGENCY ROOM ON YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE INFANT WAS THEN PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF RICKY BANKS--A FRIEND OF THE MOTHER WAS BABYSITTING THE CHILD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BANKS SAYS THE CHILD STARTED VOMITING. SHORTLY AFTER THE BABYSITTER CALLED 9-1-1. OFFICIALS ALSO SAY THE CHILD HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BRONCHITIS IN LATE JANUARY--AND WITNESSES NOTICED THE BABY SEEMED TO HAVE A RATTLING IN HIS CHEST WHEN BREATHING. THE DEPARTMENT IS AWAITING AUTOPSY REPORTS--THE CASE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.