Child Dies After TV Set Falls In North Side Home
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A 4-year-old girl who was rushed to the hospital Wednesday night after a large television set fell on her has died.
The incident happened at a home on Mount Pleasant Road in Pittsburgh's Northview Heights neighborhood just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the girl as Shanya Darby-Simms.
Police say her parents heard a thud at their home, and went upstairs to find a 22-inch, older-model television on the girl.
"The mother was cleaning the house and she heard a thump and she seen her daughter on the floor and the TV tipped over on her head," Rose Bennett, the victim's great-aunt, said.
The TV was on a dresser in a bedroom and not secured. It's believed Shanya may have pulled it down by the cord.
"I guess she was trying to plug the TV in or trying to get her TV on because she was an independent, real smart girl," Bennett said.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2000 and 2010, tipped over TVs caused 245 deaths – 90 percent of the victims were five years old or younger.
Dr. Barbara James with Children's Hospital says families can prevent these accidents by tethering or using brackets to secure furniture, TVs and other appliances to the wall.
"Anything where there's shelves and where things can be on them where either the whole bookcase can tip or the things on it can tip, they should be secured with a tether," she said.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. Meanwhile, the family has started a burial fund in Shanya's name at Fifth Third Bank.
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