WISE — Authorities in Wise are continuing an investigation into the death of a 2-year old girl.
Meanwhile, the child's mother and her boyfriend have been returned to Virginia from Tennessee and are in custody on charges unrelated to the child’s death.
Wise County Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Adrian Collins on Thursday said Brandie Baldwin and Juwan Moore were being held at the regional jail in Duffield on violation of probation charges unrelated to the death of 2-year-old Emma Baldwin.
The toddler was transported to Norton Community Hospital last Friday before being transferred to the University of Tennessee's medical center in Knoxville where she died. The cause of her death is still under investigation.
"We're not prepared to call it a killing at this point. But I can tell you there was a 2-year-old child now deceased, and any time there is an unexpected death of an infant like this it must be investigated, and that investigation is being handled by the Virginia State Police and the Wise County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney's office," Collins said.
The investigation so far includes "multiple interviews as well as a required autopsy, which is continuing and not yet complete," he said. "Matters like this must be treated as a criminal investigation until there is an explanation one way or another as to the cause of death of a child."
Collins said Emma Baldwin was transferred from NCH "to the Children's Hospital in Knoxville where they have forensic pediatricians on staff to treat children that die, or have serious injuries that require determination of cause. An unexpected death or suspicious injuries must be investigated, and that is what is happening in this case right now."
Wise County authorities obtained fugitive warrants against Baldwin and Moore when the couple arrived in Knoxville last week. Collins said Wise County authorities filed the warrants "on those individuals due to the fact they were out of state and had pending capiases or alleged probation violations. They appeared in court in Knox County and they both agreed, and did waive extradition, back to Virginia and are in custody in Virginia at the Duffield Regional Jail."
Collins said authorities are asking the public for possible assistance in the investigation.
"I can tell you that no criminal charges have been filed as of yet. The investigation continues," he said.
"We do encourage any member of the public, family members or friends of this infant (who) might have information that might have importance for this investigation to contact Special Agent Jason Nichols of the Virginia State Police or Russell Cyphers of the Wise County Sheriff's Office. Anyone who might have any possible information or comment to provide that to either of those agencies. That would be very much appreciated and could be of value in the pending investigation," Collins said.