Who's the cutest baby in Yuma? Zaiden!

With 1,109 votes, 5-month-old Zaiden Whitehead is officially the cutest baby in Yuma County.

Zaiden received the most votes during the 2012 Newspapers In Education Cutest Baby Contest, which ended Friday.

“That makes me feel good,” said Shandy Whitehead, Zaiden's mother. “I am very happy and thankful that everybody voted for him.”

One of the people who cast a vote online for Zaiden posted: “Definitely the cutest baby good lucky Baby Z!”

Another voter posted: “Good looking boy with a great smile. Good luck Buster!”

Zaiden and 11 other babies were voted the cutest out of 44 children who were entered into the contest by family members.

“Congratulations to all 12 of the winners,” said Bob Roeser, Yuma Sun circulation director.

Over $9,000 was raised during the contest. The money will be used to continue offering free newspapers to students at Yuma County schools throughout the year as part of the NIE program.

The money will also be used to fund the nieinyuma.com website, which provides students, parents, and teachers educational tools and tips.

“It is one of our key fundraisers for Newspapers In Education to provide newspapers to the classrooms for the students to use,” Roeser said. “They also take them home and are encouraged to share them with their whole family.”

Each winner and their family will be treated to a special reception hosted by the Yuma Sun. In addition, each baby will be professionally photographed by Bill Butler. The photos will then be used in the 2013 Cutest Baby Calendar. One winner will be featured each month, except for Zaiden, who will be featured every month.

Butler's photos of the babies will also appear on special cards that will be available at the 186 rack locations in Yuma County where Yuma Sun newspapers are sold.