Big Island police said they have initiated a coroner's inquest case in connection with the death of an infant this week.

The baby was identified as 4-month-old Tainoa P. Sullivan of Kamuela.

Police were notified of the boy's death by North Hawai'i Community Hospital at 2:37 p.m. Wednesday.

A preliminary investigation by South Kohala police officers determined that the baby had stopped breathing while under the care of a baby-sitter. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday.

An autopsy has been ordered.

Hawai'i County police detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are handling the investigation.