Police, DCF Investigate Death Of Homestead Baby

HOMESTEAD (CBS4) – Miami-Dade Police are waiting to learn the cause of death of a four-month-old boy in Homestead while police and the Department of Children and Families launch an investigation.

Miami-Dade homicide detectives have ruled the death of 4-month old Jerry Correa as "unclassified" although they do say there were no signs of visible trauma.

Detectives say his parents Jhanine Jordan, 28, and Jerry Correa, 24 took him to Homestead Hospital Saturday after they found the baby unresponsive in his crib inside their apartment located at 922 NW 1st Avenue.

Doctors at the hospital pronounced the child dead.

Police investigators went to the family's Homestead apartment and said there were problems.

"They did notice that the home was in deplorable conditions and the Department of Children and Family services were notified," said Det. Alvaro Zabaleta, Miami Dade Police. "They did respond so they can initiate an investigation."

The Department of Children and Families said the agency has a history with the family, and a 3-year-old sister was taken into the agency's custody.

The news came as a surprise to neighbors.

"To learn that, that's just depressing," said Jorge Izquerdo, a neighbor. "Not only did she lose her baby now she's losing her little girl. That's just depressing."

Adela Rodriguez said she would sometimes invite the family into her home. She said she had never seen the children in any sort of bad conditions.

"He's a beautiful baby," said Rodriguez. "He's laughing he's a very beautiful baby."

Investigators are waiting to learn the cause of death from the Medical Examiner's office.