6-month-old baby survives days alone in motel room with bodies of dead parents

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A 6-month-old Michigan girl is expected to recover after police found her in critical condition Friday following several days alone in a motel room with her dead parents.

State troopers conducting a welfare check found the bodies of Jessica Bramer, 26, of Grand Rapids, and Christian Reed, 28, of Marne, shortly before noon Friday in a room at the Rodeway Inn in Whitehall Township, according to Fox 17 in Grand Rapids. They also found the couple's daughter, identified in Reed's obituary as Skylah Rae Reed, in "dire need of medical attention," troopers said in a news release.  

Skylah was taken to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, where she was found to be suffering from severe dehydration. She remained in critical condition through the weekend.

Relatives of the girl told Fox 17 Skylah's breathing tube was removed on Monday. They were waiting to see if the baby's kidneys would recover from her ordeal on their own.

Investigators told WOOD-TV autopsies performed Saturday on Bramer and Reed did not identify the cause of death, but drug paraphernalia was found in the couple's motel room. Toxicology results on the pair will take at least 30 days.

Family members said Bramer and Reed had been staying at the motel with their daughter for about a week, WOOD-TV reported. Skylah is thought to have been alone in the room for up to three days.

The couple's family members said they both had spent time in jail and the baby's grandparents contacted Child Protective Services in January out of concern for Skylah's safety, the news station said. Bramer's social media profile indicates she has an older daughter who appears to live with her father and his family. 

Police officials are asking anyone who was in contact with either Bramer or Reed after May 14 to call troopers at 616-866-4411.

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