Warrants Issued In Child's Death That Appeared Natural

Police plan to charge a man in the death of a 3-year-old that investigators originally thought died of natural causes.

Homicide detectives began investigating after the child, Saniya Makayla Smith, died shortly after paramedics were called at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday to an apartment on East W.T. Harris Boulevard in east Charlotte.

During their preliminary investigation, the detectives said they did not see signs of trauma and said it appeared the child died naturally.

However, the medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy and Smith’s death was ruled a homicide because the girl was found to have internal injuries.

Police said they have issued warrants for the arrest of 20-year-old Andre Cortez Price. They have not said what he will be charged with.

Price was the boyfriend of Smith's mother.