Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A 14-month-old child was found dead Monday afternoon with a cord from blinds wrapped around his neck.
Austin Whitaker was found in his crib in his parent's home on Levi Lee Road, Warsaw.
His father, Scott Whitaker, told police he put the child in his crib for a nap and checked on him every half hour. When he checked the last time, he said he found Austin in a sitting position in the crib with a cord from blinds wrapped around his neck.
Whitaker then called 911 and did CPR on his son until paramedics arrived. Austin was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital but he was not able to be revived.
A similar incident recently in North Webster did not result in a fatality.
Parents are recommended not to put a child's crib or toys near a window that has blinds with a string.
If the blinds are unavoidable, parents are reminded to cut the cords so they do not make a loop.
