HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Two people were briefly detained Tuesday due to a misunderstanding after a dead child was brought to a northwest Harris County hospital, according to authorities.
Initially, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office officials said the two people were detained due to a "death investigation." They were detained at a residence off Cutten Road, a few blocks away from the hospital at which the child was left.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office took over the investigation shortly after.
HCSO initially said an adult brought a dead 2-month-old child to Houston Methodist Willowbrook and left.
Authorities later clarified the story, saying that it appears as if the child died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the adults who brought the child to the hospital were told by staff members that they could leave, which they did.
HCSO investigators said another member of the hospital staff didn't realize this was the case and called the police to report that the child was left there without notice.
That led to the police response and the brief detention of the adults, who have since been released, according to HCSO officials.
Editor's note: We have updated this article with information from the Harris County Sheriff's Office, saying the infant's death appears to be from natural causes.