There were 25 deaths from suffocation in 1998. No choking deaths occurred. Two suicides had occurred in the previous year at this institution. The temporal and geographic clustering of these deaths suggests that they were related to one another. All 7 overlay deaths occurred in children under one year of age.
Intent is often difficult to determine in overlay deaths.
One of these deaths did not have a death scene investigation, making intent especially difficult to determine. A criminal investigation was undertaken in 1 case, although no arrests were made. Recommendations to Prevent Suffocation Fatalities Parents should be educated about how alcohol and drug abuse create a risk of rolling over on their children when sleeping with their children. A thorough death scene investigation should be done for all overlay deaths to help ensure that cases of homicide are not missed.