Autopsy: Unsafe sleep environment factor in Ky'air Thomas' Sudden Unexplained Infant Death
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the cause of death.
The cause of the Jan. 28 death of Ky'air Thomas, one of the twin Columbus boys abducted in December, is Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, according to the autopsy performed at the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
Significant conditions included "an unsafe sleep environment," the coroner's office said.
More:Autopsy reports: What they can tell us and what they can't
However, there was "no evidence of trauma, foul play, abuse, or neglect," the coroner's office said.
Medics were called to the boys' home on East Whittier Street on Jan. 28 after 6-month-old Ky'air had reportedly stopped breathing and medics rushed him to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where he died at 11:44 p.m.
Citing an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death as reported by Columbus police, the autopsy revealed that the infant boy "was placed face down (prone) on an adult bed with excess bedding and pillows (unsafe sleep environment), unsupervised, and in a post-prandial state" (after being fed).
Past reporting:Grandmother: Family 'living a nightmare' after Columbus twin kidnapped in December dies
"It is well documented that infants under the age of 8 months have limited strength in the neck musculature to reposition their airway when encountering possible obstructions," the coroner's office reported. "This is a form of oxygen deprivation (anoxic brain injury), however, because a contributory component of mechanical or obstructive asphyxia can be neither confirmed nor excluded in this infant’s death as determined by the investigation and circumstances, the manner of death is best ruled as Undetermined."
Extensive testing, including microbiology, toxicology, histology, and a skeletal radiological survey "were unremarkable and non-contributory to the cause of death," the coroner's office said.
“There was no evidence of trauma, foul play, abuse or neglect to call the manner of death an accident,” Jeremy Blake, Director of Public Affairs of Franklin County Coroner's Office.
Family members declined comment or did not return messages left by The Dispatch seeking comment.
The family is "continuing to ask for prayers and privacy at this time,” said DaVante Goins, an advocate for the family.
On Dec. 19, Ky’air and his twin brother Kason, were abducted by a female suspect who allegedly stole their mother’s running car on North High Street around 9:45 p.m. when she went inside a Donatos restaurant to pick up a DoorDash order.
Ky'air was found at the Dayton International Airport on Dec. 20 and returned home. Kason was found safe in Indianapolis on Dec. 22.
What is the difference between SUID and SIDS?
There are 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is one type of SUID, which is the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that can’t be explained after a full investigation, including an autopsy, according to NIH.
The Ohio Department of Health has a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program and a toll-free hotline (1-800-477-7437) is available to provide support for families. The city of Columbus has a safe sleeping program that can be reached at 614-645-1762.
mhenry@dispatch.com
@megankhenry
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Manner of death undetermined for Columbus twin abducted in December
