Columbiana officials: No charges expected in death of infant boy

WELLSVILLE — Officials said today they do not expect any charges will be filed in the death of a 5-month-old boy who authorities say apparently accidentally was suffocated by a pillow.

Cason Nicholas Yergin was pronounced dead Tuesday morning in the emergency room at East Liverpool City Hospital.

Chief Deputy Allen Haueter of the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office said a 16-year-old girl was baby-sitting the child here and fell asleep in a bed with the child. When the girl awoke, she discovered the pillow on the infant’s face.

Haueter said the girl is a member of the family. Her name was not released.

An autopsy was performed by the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office. Haueter said there were no signs of any kind trauma to the infant.

Haueter and County Prosecutor Robert Herron said officials were awaiting toxicology reports from the coroner’s office before making a formal ruling.