West Philadelphia, December 24, 2025
A one-year-old girl, Aura Harnett-Baxter, was found unresponsive inside a West Philadelphia home, leading to a homicide investigation. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding her death, which is believed to have followed a choking incident. Aura was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The investigation has been moved to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit as authorities seek clarity on the situation.
Philadelphia
A homicide investigation is currently underway in West Philadelphia following the recent death of a one-year-old girl. The infant, identified as Aura Harnett-Baxter, was found unresponsive inside a home on the 3800 block of Fairmount Avenue on Sunday afternoon.
Investigation Details
Officers responded around 2:25 p.m. for a reported hospital case involving a choking child. Medics transported Aura Harnett-Baxter to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was pronounced dead at 3:13 p.m. The Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Ongoing Inquiry
Police have not yet released additional details, and the autopsy report with the cause and manner of death has not been made public. Authorities are actively investigating to determine the full details of what transpired. The case was transferred from the Special Victims Unit to the Homicide Unit, indicating a serious inquiry into the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main news event?
- A homicide investigation is underway in West Philadelphia following the recent death of a one-year-old girl, Aura Harnett-Baxter, who was found unresponsive after a choking incident.
- Where did the incident occur?
- The incident occurred inside a home on the 3800 block of Fairmount Avenue in West Philadelphia.
- When was this reported?
- Reports indicate the child was found unresponsive on Sunday afternoon, with the news emerging within the last 48 hours.
- What was the reported cause of death?
- Officials described the death as following a choking incident.
- What is the current status of the investigation?
- The Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating the circumstances, and the autopsy report is pending.
Key Incident Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Homicide investigation |
| Victim’s Name | Aura Harnett-Baxter |
| Victim’s Age | One-year-old |
| Location | West Philadelphia, 3800 block of Fairmount Avenue |
| Reported Circumstance | Found unresponsive after a choking incident |
| Date Found Unresponsive | Sunday afternoon |
| Current Status | Investigation underway by Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
