Death Of A Child
What is SIDS and how is it handled legally?
Short answer
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion — it is determined after the coroner rules out other causes. The investigation process is the same as any child death. The coroner will typically examine the sleep environment and medical history. Most…
What this usually means
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion — it is determined after the coroner rules out other causes. The investigation process is the same as any child death. The coroner will typically examine the sleep environment and medical history. Most families receive results within a few weeks.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.