Police investigating death of premature baby in Federal Way

Federal Way police are investigating the death of a premature baby boy who died this week from "maternal drug abuse," according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, medics and fire personnel responded to a 911 call to the 30900 block of 16th Place Southwest, said department spokeswoman Cathy Schrock. They found a woman, 23, who had just given birth. They also saw drug paraphernalia inside the apartment, Schrock said.

The baby showed no signs of life and was still attached to the umbilical cord. It's estimated he was born midterm, about three to four months early, she said.

Medics attempted to revive the baby, but couldn't. The mother was taken to the hospital and the baby was taken by the medical examiner's office, Schrock said. On Thursday, the medical examiner ruled that the baby died in utero from drugs.

Schrock called the case unusual and one that might prove difficult to prosecute.

There is some indication that leads police to think this death "wasn't just a miscarriage," she said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com