Grant County Sheriff’s office investigating baby’s death

An autopsy today by the Grant County coroner showed that a 9-month-old boy who died on Tuesday succumbed to asphyxia from drowning. Brandon Richardson reportedly stopped breathing while taking a bath in a case that is under investigation by the sheriff’s office. Undersheriff John Turley said that the boy was pronounced dead after arriving at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake on Tuesday. A county emergency medical crew and sheriff’s deputies responded Tuesday morning on a 911 call to the 1100 block of Mather Drive north of Moses Lake. The mother, Brandi A. Smith, 18, of Moses Lake, said that the boy was taking a bath when the problem occurred. Deputies were continuing an investigation this afternoon. Turley did not give other details.