Key Points Summary โ Newborn died from SIDS
- One-month-old Kiyanna Winfield died from suspected SIDS, not mauling
- Family pit bull bit baby postmortem, was euthanized shortly after
- Parents say child had medical issues, including a heart murmur
- Authorities found โsubstantialโ facial injuries but ruled out foul play
- Medical Examiner confirmed baby was already dead during the attack
Family Claims Baby Died From SIDS, Not Pit Bull Mauling
A Queens couple says their one-month-old daughter, Kiyanna Winfield, died of sudden infant death syndrome โ not from a fatal dog attack. They claim their family pit bull, Bella, only bit the baby after she had already passed away.
โOur baby was alive when we went to sleep,โ said Kiyannaโs stepfather, identified only as Christopher. โShe died of SIDS. She also had a heart murmur.โ
The babyโs mother, Lillian Burton, added: โI did not kill my child. She died of SIDSโฆ and then the dog ate her.โ
Medical Examiner Disputes Initial Reports Of Mauling
Authorities initially believed the six-week-old pit bull killed Kiyanna. However, the cityโs medical examiner revealed the child was already deceased when the dog began biting her face. The pup was later put down.
โWe think the puppy was trying to help,โ Christopher said. โIt only bit her mouth and nose. Maybe she was gasping for air, and the dog didnโt understand.โ
The medical examiner has not yet officially released a cause of death. Still, the family believes the findings clear them of wrongdoing.
Parents Say Theyโre Locked Out And Devastated
The family discovered the gruesome scene just after 6 a.m. Tuesday. A โsubstantial portionโ of the babyโs face had been mauled, according to law enforcement sources.
Despite the tragedy, police currently suspect no foul play. โWe fed our kids. We changed our kids. I take good care of them,โ Burton said.
The parents also claimed theyโve since been locked out of their apartment in the Queensbridge Houses, left to mourn outside their home while awaiting further investigation.
