Staff Report
A Lynn woman is being sought after her child died in a shelter.
An Essex County grand jury has indicted Laci Kirk, also known as Laci Brand, charging her with wanton or reckless endangerment of of a child.
Kirk left her baby, Charles Brand III, unattended in portable crib, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.
“Kirk went to check on the child and found him unresponsive with a small amount of blood coming from his nose,” a district attorney spokesperson said in the statement. “Responding officers noted that Kirk’s speech was slurred; she was unsteady on her feet and smelled of alcohol.”
Brand was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the medical examiner’s office showed Brand died of natural causes.
Still, Kirk “engaged in a pattern of of wanton and reckless conduct, leaving her child unattended for several hours at a time throughout his short life,” the DA said.
Kirk’s treatment of the baby drew the attention of shelter staff. “A case was open with the Department of Children and Families, and services were being put in place at the time of the child’s death,” the DA said.
Police are still searching for Kirk, and have asked the public’s help in finding her.
Anyone with information about Kirk can call Trooper Robert DeMeo at 978-538-6108 (or 978-538-6180 during business hours) or Lt. Tom Reddy at 781-595-2000.