Police Probe Starvation Death Of Infant In West Philly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An investigation is currently underway into the starvation death of a two-month-old baby in West Philadelphia.
Investigators say Quasir Alexander was found dehydrated and unresponsive at the Travelers Aid Family Shelter on N. 49th Street on December 23.
The child was rushed to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia but he was later pronounced dead.
Sources said the baby was undernourished and the cause of death was starvation and dehydration.
The baby lived with his mother and her other children at the shelter. Sources said the city's Department of Human Services (DHS) was monitoring the infant's mother and her other children before the baby died.
The other children are now in the care of the DHS.
The shelter where the family was living provides medical care, as well as free food and baby formula.
"We're fully cooperating with the investigation that's going on," the shelter's executive director Ted Weertz said.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter released a statement that read: "This is clearly a tragedy. There will be a full investigation, but state law prohibits me from saying anything further at this stage."
Investigators are interviewing the child's mother. So far, no arrests have been made.
