Brooklyn Infant Dead After Taking Cough Medicine

Daniel Richardson

A Brooklyn infant died last night after he was given over-the-counter cough medicine. Police believe 4-month-old Daniel Richardson's death was an accident; his Aunt, who was babysitting him Thursday in Bushwick, gave the infant the syrup for a cough, and said he didn't have any other health issues. She tearfully told the News, "I was the one who gave the baby the medicine, and I'm the one being investigated. I can't believe this happened. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't know. I gave the baby medicine. I was baby-sitting. I don't know."

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that parents shouldn't give over-the-counter cold medicine to children younger than two without first consulting with a doctor because of possible adverse reactions. There are also recipes for homemade cough medicine available on the internet, without the potentially dangerous drugs you find in commercial syrups.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on December 3, 2010 3:53 PM

Comments [rss]

nolastname

I truly feel her pain. My heart aches with her sorrow. Rest in peace Daniel, your Aunt loved you.

Ah Hoon

So much for child-proof caps.

OSN!

Better warnings on the packaging? What....a symbol of a baby with an 'X'?

Ph

That's simple enough to work very well.

Good Job.

JenChungsBaby

I didn't do anything wrong -- except KILL THE BABY!

brwnmamba

This is why we need prescription bottles that anyone (illiterate, non-english speaking, elderly or visually impaired) can understand.

If there are symbols for poisons and hazardous items, & even MOVIES why can't there be a symbol that says: not for kids or babies on medicine bottles?

NY Mag - The perfect Prescription
http://nymag.com/nymetro/healt...
* an article about redesigning the prescription bottle

Reading the fine print on medicine bottles is like reading the fine print on your statements about hidden fees.

pharmtech24

It wasn't a prescription, and over the counter cough medicines do say "not for children under 2 years of age without consulting a doctor." And anyone should always know not to give any type of medication to an infant without talking with a professional (pharmacist or doctor) or you could be risking the child's health and even life. I sure as hell wouldn't give my kid anything without speaking to someone about it first to double check, and I DEFINITELY wouldn't give OTC cough medicine to someone else's child, without speaking to the parent OR a professional first. That's just plain stupid. It's heartbreaking the child had to pay the price for the babysitter's idiocy.

langleycollyer

Hey, it stopped the kid's cough.

Rocknrope

Wow, so clever, but you do realize you're now cursed to have your first child die young.

langleycollyer

Do you realize that questions end in question marks?

Rocknrope

It figures; not only a douchebag, but a grammar nazi douchebag.

langleycollyer

"Nazi" should be capitalized.

Gwinny

harsh!

ishtar_79

I wouldn't be surprised if the aunt is illiterate. Even children's cough syrup advises not to give to children under 2 years and it's usually in the same area of the label as the dosage.