Death of baby born to homeless mother investigated as homicide

By Kate Howard

Metro police are investigating the death of a 12-week-old baby as a homicide.

Cherokeewolf William Deidrich, who was born Nov. 9 on the streets to a homeless mother, was pronounced dead this afternoon at the Monroe Carell Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Police said the baby was taken into state custody shortly after his birth and placed with foster parents. On Jan. 9, the parents - Earl and Cheryl Green - called 911 to report that the baby wasn't breathing. He had a severe head injury, according to police, and he was on life support until his death today.

No criminal charges have been brought yet, police said. An autopsy is planned for tomorrow.

The Tennessee Department of Children's Services issued a statement this afternoon saying the foster parents met the conditions to serve when they took custody of the baby two days after his birth.

They had been interviewed extensively and had opened their house up for a detailed home study, as required by the state. They also passed criminal background checks," DCS spokesman Rob Johnson said in a statement. "In the weeks after placement, family service workers from the department continued to check in regularly on the child and the family. They had also arranged visits between Cherokeewolf, his birth mother and the foster parents."

The baby was taken to local pediatricians for checkups during that time, Johnson said, and the baby was scheduled for another visit the week he was taken to the emergency room.

Life support machines were disconnected today after a court order, Johnson said.