Baby smothered while in mother’s bed

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The Associated Press
Published: December 30, 2008

TAUNTON, Mass.—Taunton police say a 3-month-old baby boy died Sunday, apparently after being accidentally smothered while sleeping in his mother’s bed.

Chief Raymond O’Berg told The Taunton Gazette that the death of Nolan Arruda appears to be a “tragic accident.“ Although the investigation continues, no foul play is suspected.

Police responded to a 911 call at a city apartment at about 8 a.m. on Sunday morning. The infant was declared dead at Morton Hospital at about 8:30 a.m.

The infant’s mother, 30-year-old Marlana Arruda, was in the apartment when police, fire rescue and ambulance personnel arrived.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( dswhite ) on December 31, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Here is a site to look into the benefits of co-sleeping http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t102200.asp. Funny how I am considered judgmental if I said it is wrong not to breast feed with all the medical facts of the benefits but others can judge my sleeping arrangments.

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Posted by ( bluegirl422 ) on December 31, 2008 at 12:31 pm

The comment regarding my 4 year old. My 4 yr old does not sleep with me anymore since she turned 2 1/2 off and on she sleeps with us with a nightmare or etc. Dont tell me that if your child wants to sleep in your bed that you will turn them away. Where are we crossing line (Really).

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Posted by ( dswhite ) on December 31, 2008 at 8:31 am

I am not going to get into the saftey issue anymore but please don’t tell me that sleeping with a four year old is not appropriate. How judgmental can you get. There is nothing emotionally wrong with sleeping with your own child. If you research the topic you find that worldwide sleeping with a young child is the norm.

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Posted by ( ellen6 ) on December 31, 2008 at 1:59 am

i dont know how you guys can say the things you are saying. My mother is a nurse in the childrens emergency room and you dont know how many children she sees that come in that are badly hurt or even die from either being smothered or rolled on top of from sleeping in the same bed as their parents. Another thing its not a healthy thing for your child to get used to. A four year old should not be sleeping with mom and dad. Seriously people think about what your saying and get some common sense!!

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Posted by ( jcon8806 ) on December 30, 2008 at 7:22 pm

They should press charges against the lady/ Are you a complete idiot victimofgravity. Why would you even say such a thing. Pretty sure you do not have kids!! Why don’t we lock up every parent who sends there kids to bed after 8pm..totally stupid. HAve some sympathy for the mother and family who went from such a high just bringing a child into the world to now..

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Posted by ( bluegirl422 ) on December 30, 2008 at 6:33 pm

I feel bad for the family and Parents. I am a mother of two and both have slept in my bed for 4 yrs. As of today my now 4 year old and now my 1 1/2yr old. since birth have been in my bed. I have had no problems, co -sleeping- I do not sleep soundly mind you. I am very careful watching her at night and so forth. My condolences to the family.

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Posted by ( dswhite ) on December 30, 2008 at 5:44 pm

I am so sorry this happened but please don’t condem sleeping with an infant. How many babies are saved from SIDs by sleeping with the mother. It also promotes breast feeding which makes for a much healther infant then bottle feeding. To saftley sleep with an infant refer to Dr. Sears for the right way to do it. This happens so rarely, I bet more infants die in car seats in the car accidents.

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Posted by ( Revolt Now! ) on December 30, 2008 at 5:09 pm

So very sad that a child lost his life.

This should be a wakeup call to all parents of infants, DO NOT SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AS YOUR BABY!

I would say they should press charges on the lady for Negligence, but I think her grief she will live with for the rest of her life is enough.

Once Again message to all Parents or soon to be parents, DO NOT LET AN INFANT SLEEP WITH YOU IN YOUR BED! You can and will roll over in your sleep!!!!

I pray for this boy’s family. So very sad and avoidable.

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