For many hunters in the region, hunting season is a family affair. For one family hunting and camping near Trappers Lake in Rio Blanco County last week, this year’s hunt ended in tragedy. According to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, a 9-1-1 call received at approximately 9:26pm on October 26th was a father reporting that his infant had been found unresponsive after having been laid down to sleep. The Sheriff’s Office and Meeker Fire and Rescue responded. The infant was taken to Pioneer Hospital where the 4-month old was pronounced deceased shortly after midnight. An investigation of the death by the Sheriff’s Office, Rio Blanco Coroner, and Chief Investigator of the District Attorney’s Office was undertaken. After a thorough investigation and an autopsy, it was determined that the infant’s cause of death was accidental asphyxiation.
