By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer
Tragedy struck Oxford Township’s Lake Villa Manufactured Home Community this past weekend when a six-week-old infant died after her mother rolled over onto her while sleeping, authorities say.
Detective Kevin McNally of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department’s Oxford Substation said the death of Caraline Rose Barney was ruled an accident.
The mother, 25-year-old Nedra Barney, and the baby daughter went to bed Friday night and slept in the same bed, according to the detective. Some time during the night, Barney accidentally rolled over onto her baby.
When Barney woke up Saturday morning, she discovered Caraline was unresponsive.
The mother, according to the officer, then ran across the street and called 9-1-1. Authorities from both the Oxford Fire Department and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department responded.
Barney’s call came in just after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Detective McNally said, and Caraline was pronounced dead at 10 a.m.
Caraline is survived by her mother and father Nedra and David Barney; three brothers, Tony, David and Daniel; two sisters, Ella and Mia, along with many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lynch & Sons Funeral Home Bossardet Chapel in Oxford. Both the funeral and visitation will take place Thursday.
Lake Villa is located on Parker Lake Drive off of East Lakeville Road.