LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Police are investigating the death of a 22-day-old infant as a homicide.
The Lakeland Ledger reports that the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Tuesday’s death of Betsey Kee Stephens as a homicide because she had been dead for three and a half hours before her parents called 911.
The baby’s parents found her unresponsive when they checked on her as they pulled in to a restaurant to eat. Police say the baby’s siblings, a 1-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl were sitting in their car seats and both appeared to be in good health. The children are now in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The parents were in Lakeland to visit family in the area.
