Inmate allowed to attend infant daughter’s funeral

LEWISTON – The father of an 8-month-old Auburn girl who died under suspicious circumstances was granted permission to attend the girl’s memorial service Thursday even though he is in jail for assaulting the infant’s mother.

Androscoggin County Jail officials said guards would escort Michael Cole, 26, to the service for his daughter, Emmy-Leigh Cole.

Jail administrator Capt. John Lebel said Cole would have to go to the service when Emmy-Leigh’s mother, Libby St. Pierre, was not there because she has a protection order against him.

“He’ll be given the opportunity to grieve and pay his respects,” Lebel said. “We’ve granted permission for him to go to the funeral home for a half-hour by himself.”

Police continue to investigate the death of Emmy-Leigh, who died Saturday at Maine Medical Center after being found unresponsive while in the care of St. Pierre’s boyfriend at a home in Auburn.

An autopsy has been completed, but the cause of death has not been made public pending further investigation, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. No charges have been filed.