CARTHAGE — The state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the death of a 5-month-old girl.

No details were available from state police Wednesday morning, but Carthage Police Chief Reginald Huber Jr. said the BCI was asked to take over the probe because the death appeared to be suspicious. Four investigators were said to be working the case.

“Anytime an infant who has not been ill dies, it warrants an investigation,” the chief said. “We have to treat it as suspicious until we find it is not. We do not have the manpower to do it as quickly as they can.”

A county emergency dispatch document indicated the Carthage Area Rescue Squad, village police and state police were sent at 8:59 p.m. Tuesday to the lower apartment at 232 N. School St. for a “fainting.”

The house where the death occurred is owned by Stacy and Craig Hadley. According to Mrs. Hadley, the lower apartment of the duplex is rented by Amber Simpson and Joseph Reape. Mrs. Hadley said Ms. Simpson has custody of her niece Rachel.

“They are good people — good tenants,” Mrs. Hadley said of the couple, who have rented the apartment since September 2009. “I always saw them as good parents. They have two children of their own.”

Jefferson County District Attorney Cindy F. Intschert confirmed the investigation is under way, but declined to comment further.

An autopsy was conducted Wednesday at Samaritan Medical Center by Dr. Samuel A. Livingstone, Jefferson County medical examiner. His findings were not disclosed.

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