By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of a five-month old infant from Mill Spring.

The Polk County EMS, Mill Spring Fire Department and Columbus Fire Department were dispatched on Monday, March 30 to 23 Freedom Drive, Mill Spring for an unresponsive infant. The infant was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital’s Emergency Room where the child was pronounced dead at 7:21 p.m., according to a sheriff’s office report.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was immediately notified, when patrol officers responded to the home to secure the scene. The on-call detective also responded to the scene as well as other investigators to assist with the investigation.

Investigators requested assistance from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), based not on any suspicion of foul play, the sheriff’s office reported, but strictly on the SBI’s availability of resources for the investigation.

On Wednesday, March 31, a search warrant was executed at the residence for investigators to search for anything that could help them determine the cause of death and rule out foul play.

“Again, this is standard protocol when a death of unknown causes occurs,” a press release sent from the sheriff office stated. “Investigators per state law notified the county medical examiner where an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.”

The sheriff’s office said additional information that will not interfere with the investigation will be released as information becomes available.