Police Say Baby's Death Was Accidental

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By Eric Shangraw

Story Published: Mar 10, 2008 at 11:21 AM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2008 at 6:53 PM CDT

Peoria Heights' authorities say the death of a 14-month-old is accidental.

In a release from Chief Dustin Sutton, he says Peyton Fitch was found unresponsive at his residence last week. He says officers observed both parents attempting CPR on the child when they arrived. Fitch was taken to OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

Autopsy results show a healthy 14-month-old boy died of drowning. Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Fitch was pronounced dead in the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Intensive care unit around 5:30 Friday night.

Ingersoll says a family member found Peyton face down in a bathtub filled with water. Ingersoll says the boy was in the tub with a two-year-old sibling at the time.

The Peoria Heights Police Department concluded their investigation andetermined the death was accidental. They say they are filing no charges, but have forwarded their report to the Peoria County States Attorney's office for review.

Thursday, Mar 13 at 5:15 PM britianee wrote ...

i totally agree with the mom with twins things do just happen and i kno they feel really bad all i kno it was a acident and he will always be loved

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 6:34 AM Nichole wrote ...

The parents are living with their mistake, and I am sure that is punishment enough for their neglect. It's 100% true, you never ever leave a child alone in a tub.., not till they're like 6.. let alone a 2 yr and a 14 month old together! It was an extremely bad decision that they will live with the rest of their lives. Leave them be in their misery. My heart goes out to them

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 5:56 PM britianee wrote ...

i think that the parents thought that the baby was able to stay there in the bathroon and they loved him

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 3:37 PM madd wrote ...

i too dont understand how they can leave a baby alone in the tub the phone and door can wait a child is more precious .i think in someay they should have been held accountable for it . i know they are grieving for the loss and feel bad sadly it could have been prevented .

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 3:16 PM mom to twins 1 wrote ...

I am a mom of 9 month old twins and a 3 year old and I want to tell you two previous posters that accidents happen, it isnt like she held the kids head under water or left him in the tub a lone for an hour or something. It is one of those split second things that just happen, could have been avoided but it isnt one of those things you think about at the time. My heart goes out to this family and I am so sorry for their loss, you will be in my prayers

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 2:07 PM Stephanie Ashcraft wrote ...

You do not know these parents. Their kids are their life. I think this is a wake up call for all of us. How many of us have run to grab the phone or ran to get out their clothes or to grab a towel while our children are bathing. The parent was out of the room for just a few minutes. Your holier than thou attitudes are disturbing. This family is suffering enough! Please keep them in your prayers. We know that Peyton is in the care of a loving Father in Heaven but our hearts are grieving.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:22 AM careless wrote ...

I should think that the parents should be held responsible for Child Neglect! Anyone and Everyone that has kids knows that you NEVER leave a child unattended in any kind of circumstance, let alone a Bath Tub! Are you kidding me! A 2 year old is in no way old enough to care for an infant in the bath tub. I have a 15 month old myself and it dusgusts me that a little life was taken because the parents wanted to be irresponsible! Shame on you!

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:21 AM Sandy wrote ...

Since when does leaving a child in the bathtub virtually alone say it's not child endangerment...maybe they should have left them both in the back yard...a bathtube is dangerous to small children. It's a tragedy but the parents should be held responsible.

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