MANKATO, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota father is facing serious charges following the death of his 10-month-old son, who authorities say suffocated after being left under a weighted blanket for hours.
According to police, Omni Maxx Morningstar, 26, was arrested in connection with the October 2025 incident at his home.
Infant Left Unattended for Hours
Investigators say Morningstar placed his son, Remington, down for a nap around 11 a.m., covering him with multiple weighted blankets.
He then went into another room, where he reportedly spent hours online talking with friends using headphones, failing to check on the infant.
Authorities say the child was not checked on for nearly five hours.
Child Found Unresponsive
Around 3:55 p.m., Morningstar discovered his son unresponsive and overheated beneath the blankets.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the infant was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Officials reported the child’s body temperature had reached 104.7 degrees, indicating extreme overheating.
Dangerous Use of Weighted Blankets
Police say the infant’s sleeping area contained multiple weighted blankets totaling nearly 20 pounds.
Investigators allege the father had been using heavy blankets for months in an attempt to keep the baby from moving or crying.
Medical findings later confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to compression from the blankets.
Prior Concerns Raised
According to court documents, the child’s mother had previously raised concerns about similar behavior.
She reported that the father had once left the baby covered under a large blanket after forgetting about him while playing video games.
Charges Filed
Morningstar has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with his son’s death.
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He is currently being held at the Blue Earth County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on April 16.
A Tragic Reminder
The case has raised serious concerns about child safety, supervision, and the risks associated with improper bedding for infants.
Experts warn that infants should never be placed under heavy blankets or left unattended for extended periods.
Do you think more awareness is needed about infant sleep safety? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
