Amish couple discusses newborn's death amid Pennsylvania measles investigation
An Amish family in Lancaster County spoke with a national reporter about the loss of their newborn, while the county coroner continues an investigation into the cause of death amid a broader measles-related inquiry.
The Atlantic reported that an Amish couple in Lancaster County, who have 13 children, lost a newborn boy on Aug. 14. The family, identified in the article only by pseudonyms, said the mother, Anna, had contracted measles and was severely ill in the days before delivery. The infant was born at a local birthing center, did not breathe, and died despite emergency resuscitation attempts.
The couple indicated that neither they nor their children are vaccinated, but they do not consider themselves anti-vaccination. Anna recalled that many people in the area were experiencing measles at the time.
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni confirmed his office is investigating the infant’s death. While initial reports linked the case to measles, the coroner’s forensic pathologist ruled out measles as a contributing factor, noting the cause of death was a laceration to the spleen. The investigation remains ongoing, and the coroner declined to release the child’s name, citing privacy concerns.
State officials have previously announced two measles-associated deaths among unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, but details about the second case have not been disclosed. Local media outlets continue to seek information from health officials and coroners in other counties, without receiving further specifics.