Oregon Police Detain Person of Interest in Milton Freewater Infant Death

Umatilla County authorities say they have a person of interest in custody in connection with the death of a five-month old infant boy.

Dominic Freel, who was the first baby born in the Walla Walla area this year, was brought to Providence-St. Mary's Hospital last Wednesday.

After the baby died Wednesday evening, an autopsy was performed and the County Coroner said it was now a homicide investigation.

Officials have not named the suspect, but according to sources, a woman named Barbara Freel of Milton-Freewater says the teenage boy in custody is her grandson, and he is the suspect. She was the infant's great grandmother.

Police had declined to name his connection to the baby. According to sources, the teen was taken into custody for failure to adhere to a anti-drug and alcohol class.

More details expected soon.