Members from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Victims Unit are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an infant in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>Northwest Washington. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

At approximately 5:45 pm on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, a Fourth District Officer was approached in the 4500 block of 17th Street, NW, for assistance by a woman carrying an infant that appeared to be in distress. The officer immediately radioed for emergency medical assistance and proceeded to begin CPR on the infant until assistance arrived.

The infant girl was transported by personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to an area hospital where she was admitted in critical condition. She was subsequently pronounced dead at 9:31 pm.

The name of the 10-month old decedent in this case is being withheld at this time out of respect for the family.

A preliminary investigation into this case indicates that the infant was reportedly discovered by a caretaker in an apparent unconscious condition inside of the family residence located in the 4600 block of Argyle Terrace, NW.

The cause and manner of death in this case will be determined pending an autopsy to be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia as the investigation continues.