Crime & Safety
Michigan Toddler Dies In Makeshift Playpen Accident
A 1-year-old girl was strangled to death when her head got stuck in a gate being used to contain her, according to reports.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A 1-year-old Michigan girl died after authorities say she was strangled by a gate that had been placed on top of her playpen.
WOODTV reported that Emily English, who would have turned 2 next month, was found unresponsive around 11:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in Grands Rapids. Crews attempted to save her life, but she was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Kent County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cohle told WOOD an autopsy confirmed Emily became unable to breathe when her head got entangled in the components of a gate that was used to cover the playpen.
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The gate had been placed there in an effort to keep the toddler from getting out. It was not designed to be used in that manner, according to reports. The death is being treated as an accident, though the case remains open.
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