Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Anthony Ford (Deceased)
DOB: 11/17/2016
Address: 3581 51^st Avenue North, unincorporated St. Petersburg

Antonio Ford (Father)
DOB: 8/17/1983
Address: 3581 51^st Avenue North, unincorporated St. Petersburg

Nina Yates (Mother)
DOB: 02/16/1988
Address: 3581 51^st Avenue North, unincorporated St. Petersburg

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are investigating the death of a 6-month-old infant in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

When:
Deputies received the call at about 12:28 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred at a residence located at 3581 51^st Avenue North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are investigating the death of a 6-month-old infant in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

According to detectives, at about 12:28 p.m. on Monday June 5, 2017, deputies were called to a residence located at 3581 51^st Avenue North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg, for an unresponsive 6-month-old.

Detectives say sometime after 10:45 a.m., 33-year-old Antonio Ford placed his 6-month-old child Anthony Ford, on his bed in a back bedroom to take a nap. Antonio was at home alone at the time with five other children while Anthony’s mother, 29-year-old Nina Yates, was away from the home.

Detectives say at about 12:20 p.m., Antonio sent one of the children to check on the infant when they found Anthony on the side of the bed with his head stuck in the opening between the mattress and headboard.   

Antonio performed CPR on the child until paramedics arrived.  Anthony was transported to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital where the infant was later pronounced deceased.

Detectives say the infant had a crib at the residence but he was often allowed to sleep in his parent’s bed.  

An autopsy will be conducted to determine cause and manner of death.

The investigation continues.