CINCINNATI (Scripps News Cincinnati) — A Cincinnati mother has been indicted by a grand jury for killing her six-week-old daughter as a result co-sleeping. They’re labeling it as a homicide due to the shocking circumstances — Brooke Hunter lost another baby under the exact same circumstances almost a year ago to the day.
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According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Hunter’s infant died on June 22, 2022. The grand jury indicted her on counts of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.
Hunter was warned of the dangers of co-sleeping after her first child’s death, said Amy Clausing with the prosecutor’s office.
Co-sleeping, or bed-sharing, is when a parent sleeps in close physical or social contact with their child — often in the same bed or on a couch or chair. Cincinnati Children’s advises parents to never nap while holding a baby nor sleep in the same bed as their child.
“The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in your bed,” the hospital’s website says.
Because Hunter had been warned, her second child’s death is considered a homicide. Hunter was indicted on involuntary manslaughter and endangering children charges.
A warrant was issued for Hunter’s arrest.
This story was originally published Sept. 14, 2022 by WCPO in Cincinnati, an E.W. Scripps Company.
