Staff Report

The death of an infant has prompted an investigation centered on the mother of the infant.

In a statement to local media, Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin said the sheriff’s office and Coffee County EMS responded to a call at 383 Shelley Road in Manchester to a CPR in progress. He said first responders arrived on the scene and found a one-month-old infant unresponsive. EMS would confirm the infant was deceased.

Deputies secured the scene as the sheriff and investigators arrived, along with an investigator from the District Attorney’s office. It was during the investigation that Emaleigh Grace Stafford, 21, who was confirmed to be the infant’s mother, filed a false report and tampered with evidence.

“She was taken into custody and transported to the Coffee County Jail,” Partin said in the statement. “The young infant has been taken to Nashville for autopsy.”

Stafford is in custody with a $15,000 bond for filing a false report and tampering with evidence, pending the outcome of the investigation. Partin added he could not provide more information as the investigation is ongoing.

“Please keep this child’s family in your prayers and for all those who are involved in this difficult investigation,” he said.