Baby Dies While at Burke Day Care Center

Kathryn Lily Kitchener died on May 22, 2012, while at the in Burke.  She turned 1 on May 11.

Fairfax County Police responded to the day care center at about 4:20 p.m. on May 22 for a report of a baby in medical distress. "The baby was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital where she was pronounced dead," said Lucy Caldwell, Fairfax County Police Public Information Officer. 

"Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau responded and conducted their investigation," said Caldwell. "Their investigation did not find any signs of criminal or suspicious activity, and it is my understanding that the baby’s death was due to pre-existing medical issues," she said.  "Due to HIPPA issues, neither police nor day care center officials are able to answer specific medical questions about individuals."

Burke Patch received several emails requesting more information after parents of other children at the day care center received a letter about the infant's death.

"What happened to us was very traumatic and we don't want to discuss it," said a Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning staff member who spoke with Burke Patch.

The baby's funeral mass was held May 31 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield, according to a Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home obituary.  In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations in memory of Kathryn Lily Kitchener to The Children's Inn at NIH.