Death of Spirit Lake infant ruled an accident

The death of an infant in Spirit Lake has been ruled accidental. The investigation took nearly two months and included police, the city attorney and DCI investigators.Spirit Lake Police Chief John Martyr says they looked into every angle, did extensive interviews and lie-detector tests, and even took property to the Division of Criminal Investigation lab for tests. Martyr says investigators got a clear picture of an accidental death, which the chief calls a “horrible tragedy” for the family and the community. Four and-a-half month old Shania Laird was found dead in her Spirit Lake home May 16th. A subsequent autopsy showed the baby died of accidental asphyxia. Martyr says nothing during the investigation led authorities to suspect foul play, and no arrests were made in the case.