Mother accused of suffocating second baby as a result of co-sleeping

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A North Carolina mother is facing multiple charges after her 7-week-old newborn died as a result of co-sleeping.

This is her second child to die due to the same incident, according to authorities.

Police say 24-year-old Mackenzie Reed was co-sleeping the night she suffocated her baby, WECT reported.

When officers arrived, they found an unconscious baby who was not breathing. First responders tried everything that they could but weren’t successful at reviving the baby.

WECT reported that her first baby died in 2022 as a result of co-sleeping; however, she was not charged due to lack of evidence.

Health experts are now spreading the word about the dangers of co-sleeping. The controversial practice involves babies sleeping on the same surface as their parents.

“People do co-sleep. I do try to advise against that,” said pediatrician Dr. Lori Tackman.

Dr. Tackman told WECT that if the baby is in bed with you, they can roll or get too close to a pillow and then they won’t be able to breathe.

Reed was charged with felony child abuse serious injury, involuntary manslaughter and child abuse/neglect serious physical injury.

Reed is being held on a $500,000 bond.

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