WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Yesterday an investigator from the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to Renown Regional Medical Center after a baby was pronounced dead at 11:39 a.m.
The baby was transported to the medical examiner’s office at 12:40 p.m., and during the initial intake procedures that occurred approximately 10 minutes later, the baby appeared to have breathing efforts. Medical Examiner’s personnel immediately began resuscitative efforts and alerted emergency response crews.
The baby was then transported back by REMSA to Renown Regional Medical Center for evaluation. At 4:37 p.m. the baby was pronounced dead for a second time. A preliminary autopsy has been completed with a final report to be issued pending additional tests.
Washoe County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ellen Clark says, “Seemingly deceased persons are sometimes resuscitated; it’s one of the miracles of modern medicine. For this child, if there was any potential for survival, the normal response would be to do exactly what the Medical Examiner’s staff did. They rendered aid when the baby appeared to breathe. Our staff expended every effort to save this baby.” Clark continued, “Our hearts go out to the family of this baby, as well as to the men and women who worked diligently to try and save the child.”
