Atlanta Couple Demands Emergency Infant Hotline After Losing Daughter to SUID

Erik and Brittany Burns, an Atlanta couple, are calling for changes from city leaders following the tragic loss of their 3-month-old daughter, Khari Burns, due to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). The couple experienced delays in getting through to 911 when they discovered Khari wasn't breathing on March 8, 2024, with their initial calls being disconnected.

Although a dispatcher eventually answered their third call within the same minute, the Burns believe the delays contributed to the tragedy. "When I was holding my daughter in my arms, I just wanted her to wake up," Brittany Burns said. "I wanted to hear a heartbeat. I wanted to hear her cry."

To prevent similar incidents, the Burns are demanding the creation of an emergency infant hotline exclusively for parents of distressed infants, as well as the distribution of free infant CPR kits to the public. They are turning their grief into a push for change, hoping no other parent has to go through the same experience they did.

Why this matters: The tragic loss of Khari Burns highlights the critical importance of swift emergency response times and the need for specialized resources for infant-related emergencies. Implementing an emergency infant hotline and providing free infant CPR kits could potentially save lives and support parents in crisis situations.

The Atlanta Police Department has stated that the average time to answer 911 calls is around 16 seconds, but they emphasize the importance of callers staying on the line until the call is answered. The Burns family is now seeking to turn their grief into purpose, advocating for changes that could help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. "No parent should ever go through this again," Erik Burns said.

Key Takeaways

• Atlanta couple lost 3-month-old due to 911 response delays
• Couple demands emergency infant hotline and free CPR kits
• Average 911 response time is 16 seconds, but callers must stay on line
• Tragedy highlights need for swift emergency response and specialized resources
• Couple seeks to turn grief into purpose to prevent similar tragedies