Autopsy performed on baby who died at Walton Lake campsite

Sheriff's office awaiting results as investigation continues

(Update: Autopsy conducted, results not yet received)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – An autopsy was performed over the weekend on a 2-month-old infant who died late last week at a campsite near Walton Lake, and the Crook County Sheriff’s Office is awaiting those results, Sheriff John Gautney said Monday.

The autopsy was conducted Saturday morning at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Clackamas, near Portland, and “is standard procedure in an infant death,” Gautney said in a brief update of the death investigation that began Friday morning.

“We are currently awaiting the official report as to the cause of death from the state medical examiner,” the sheriff said, adding that “the investigation is pending that notification.”

The sheriff's office had called in the Tri-County Major Incident Team to help in the investigation, Gautney said earkuer.

The sheriff’s office responded Friday morning to a campsite on Forest Service Road 22 on “a report of a 2-month-old infant that had passed away during the night,” Gautney said.

The investigation continued through the day “to determine the cause of death,” the sheriff said.

“The family is cooperating with law enforcement,” Gautney said, adding that no names or other details are being released at this time “due to respect for the family’s privacy at this time of great loss.”

A visitor to the area, about 30 miles northeast of Prineville, told NewsChannel 21 she saw detectives and police at a camping spot, marked off with crime scene tape.