Police probe death of infant

Staff report

SALEM

Salem police and the Columbiana County Coroner’s Office are investigating the death of a 5-month-old boy.

Police responded at 12:24 a.m. Monday after a call from the child’s 21-year-old mother, Kimberly Godwin.

The boy, Cash Gardner, was taken to Salem Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Godwin and the infant were living in an apartment in the 600 block of North Howard Avenue.

Salem Police Detective David Talbert said that the mother and child were sleeping, and when she woke up, the child was not responsive.

The detective said that the child did not have any health problems.

Under Ohio law, an autopsy will be performed, Talbert said.

The Columbiana County Coroner’s Office has autopsies performed by the Cuyahoga County corner’s office.

Talbert said that it may be a long time before the coroner’s investigation is completed.