Autopsy reveals Ky'air Thomas' death 'Unexplained'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Franklin County Coroner's Office has released the autopsy into the death of 6-month-old Ky'air Thomas.
The autopsy in conjunction with the investigation by detectives with the Columbus Division of Police detailed that "the infant was placed face down (prone) on an adult bed with excess bedding and pillows, unsupervised, and in a post-prandial state [after a meal]. This was termed in the report as an unsafe sleep environment.
The autopsy (read below) points out "it is well documented that infants under the age of 8 months have limited strength in the neck to reposition their airway when encountering possible obstructions."
Experts performing the autopsy describe this as a form of oxygen deprivation (anoxic brain injury) indicating, "Because a contributory component of mechanical or obstructive asphyxia can be neither confirmed nor excluded in this infant’s death as determined by the investigation and circumstances, the manner of death is best ruled as undetermined."
The cause of Ky'air Thomas' death has been ruled Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, with other significant conditions including unsafe sleep environment: post-prandial infant placed facedown, unsupervised, on an adult bed, surrounded by excess pillows and blankets.
In addition to a thorough internal and external examination which reveals no evidence of trauma, foul play, abuse, or neglect, extensive ancillary testing including microbiology, toxicology, histology, and skeletal radiological survey were unremarkable and non-contributory to the cause of death.
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The CDC defines SUID as the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1-year-old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation. These deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area.
According to the CDC, about 3,400 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. A thorough investigation is necessary to learn what caused these deaths.
ABC 6 has been following this story for months since Ky'air and his twin brother Kason were abducted in a stolen car in December.
There was so much joy when Kyair and Kason Thomas were finally reunited late last year after they were abducted, but the entire community was left to deal with a devastating turn of events with word of Kyair's passing in late January.
At the time, the family reached out to ABC 6 explaining Kyair's death was an accident.
"I am like in a state of shock for real," Wilma Booker, the aunt of the mother of the twins said. "I literally, I really am. I am devastated I'm hurt."
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Booker said that the family is devastated and still trying to come to terms with Ky'air's death.
The family told ABC 6 that the mother of the twins, Wilhelmina Barnett has been rocked by all of this.
"I just want people to know that Momo is a really good mom," Booker said. "She loves her babies. I don't want people to judge her like they did last time. I just want that to be known. I'm like in a state of shock for real, I'm devastated, I'm hurt for Momo. I'm hurt for Chaz the father, I'm hurt for Kason his twin brother because he is a twin, but I’m mostly, mostly, mostly, mostly, worried about Wilhelmina. She's been through so much in the way of social media and everybody has been treating her. I just don't want her to take a toll on her and want her to keep being the great mom that she is.".
Columbus police have been looking into the case, but no charges have been filed.
