Infant dies in Philadelphia shelter

The death of a 2-month-old baby boy last week in West Philadelphia is being investigated as a homicide, police said Thursday.

Medics responding to a call found the baby unresponsive at the Traveler's Aid family shelter on 111 North 49th Street around 6 a.m. on Dec. 23, said Philadelphia Lt. Raymond Evers. The baby also appeared undernourished, police said.

The baby was taken to the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy found that he died of starvation and dehydration, Evers said.

The baby apparently lived at the shelter with his mother, who has several other children, Evers said.

Contact Allison Steele at 215-854-2641 or asteele@phillynews.com