Police: No criminal charges in baby’s death at caretaker’s home

Fort Worth police will not seek criminal charges in the death of an 8-month-old Weatherford baby who died Aug. 7 in the care of a babysitter, police spokesman Bradley Perez said.

The caretaker responsible for baby John Norris at the time of his death is still being investigated on two fronts: Child Care Licensing is looking into whether the babysitter was operating an unlicensed childcare facility from her home; and Child Protective Services is looking into the safety of the children who live in her home, said Marissa Gonzalez, an agency spokeswoman.

Those investigations could last into the first part of September.

The Tarrant County medical examiner ruled that the baby died of accidental strangulation after his airway was cut off by the safety belt of his child carrier seat. Fort Worth police Sgt. Wade Walls, supervisor of the crimes against children unit, said the caregiver was watching 10 to 11 other children at the time.

The baby was found dead inside an upstairs closet of the caregiver’s home on Woodpecker Lane, off White Settlement Road.

Megan Norris, John’s mother, put her baby in the care of the babysitter in January.

“I was told John and another little girl would be the only children” being cared for, Megan Norris said at a news conference Wednesday.

Authorities cautioned parents of small infants and toddlers to always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in strapping children into car seats and carriers and to never leave children unattended in such seats.

Officials with Child Care Licensing urged parents to seek regulated child care providers for their children. Those providers have gone through background checks and receive training on child health and safety issues, Gonzalez said.

This story was originally published August 15, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Police: No criminal charges in baby’s death at caretaker’s home."