Newborn Died From SIDS Before Dog Attack, Family Says

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 โ€œsubstantialโ€ 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.

โ€œOur baby was alive when we went to sleep,โ€ said Kiyannaโ€™s stepfather, identified only as Christopher. โ€œShe died of SIDS. She also had a heart murmur.โ€

The babyโ€™s mother, Lillian Burton, added: โ€œI did not kill my child. She died of SIDSโ€ฆ 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 cityโ€™s medical examiner revealed the child was already deceased when the dog began biting her face. The pup was later put down.

โ€œWe think the puppy was trying to help,โ€ Christopher said. โ€œIt only bit her mouth and nose. Maybe she was gasping for air, and the dog didnโ€™t 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 Theyโ€™re Locked Out And Devastated

The family discovered the gruesome scene just after 6 a.m. Tuesday. A โ€œsubstantial portionโ€ of the babyโ€™s face had been mauled, according to law enforcement sources.

Despite the tragedy, police currently suspect no foul play. โ€œWe fed our kids. We changed our kids. I take good care of them,โ€ Burton said.

The parents also claimed theyโ€™ve since been locked out of their apartment in the Queensbridge Houses, left to mourn outside their home while awaiting further investigation.

TOP HEADLINES

Root Causes of Thailand-Cambodia Conflict

In Bangkok, armed confrontations have erupted between Thailand and Cambodia in territory long under...

Asian Stocks Fall as Wall Street Hits New Highs

In the financial sphere, Asian stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday following a...

Mass evacuation as Thailand-Cambodia tensions rise

SURIN, Thailand โ€” An intensifying conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border has forced tens of...

Mountain Village Rescues Amid New Mexico Flooding

RUIDOSO, NM โ€” The mountain village of Ruidoso experienced yet another bout of heavy...

Hong Kong Police Seek Tips on 19 Activists Abroad

HONG KONG โ€” The Hong Kong police have offered significant rewards for information that...

US Troops Alerted as Man Ascends Border Wall

In Nogales, Arizona, within an armored military vehicle, an Army scout operates a joystick,...
USLive
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.