Vandergrift Man Charged In Infant Son's Suffocation Death
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VANDERGRIFT, Pa. (AP/KDKA) -- A western Pennsylvania man whose infant son was suffocated when he fell asleep on his father's chest is now facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
Owen Labrenn Copney is also charged with child endangerment in the death last year of his month-old son, Isiah.
Authorities say Copney fell asleep with Isiah lying face down on his chest on Sept. 17. When Copney woke up, the child was face down in the crook of his arm and wasn't breathing.
The child was taken to a hospital but died there two days later.
The child's mother told law enforcement she had numerous talks with Copney about not falling asleep with the child on his chest and said she told Copney stories about babies dying in an attempt to scare Copney so he wouldn't do it again.
Authorities say Copney admitted he had been warned that falling asleep with his son on his chest could be dangerous for the child.
A lawyer for the 26-year-old Vandergrift man declined comment.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, accidental suffocations of infants from sleeping with an adult is on the rise. They advise under no circumstances should an infant sleep on or beside an adult in an adult bed.
Copney is free on $25,000 unsecured bond.
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