Five-month-old Hatcher Webb died Dec. 17, 2021 while under the sole care of his father, Cody Timothy Webb, 35, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The death was ruled a homicide, with an autopsy by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory finding the cause to be "blunt force head and chest injuries" that were "not consistent with any kind of accident." A probable cause affidavit states Webb became "frustrated and annoyed" over the infant's crying; Webb reportedly admitted he picked the child up quickly, pulled him into his body "much harder than what he thought," and "forcefully rocked him for approximately 10 minutes." Webb was arrested Dec. 21 and charged with capital murder, facing the death penalty or life in prison.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The Arkansas Online article states the autopsy found the cause of death was "blunt force head and chest injuries" that were "not consistent with any kind of accident," and that Webb admitted he "may have picked the child up quickly 2-3 times, pulled him closely into his body much harder than what he thought 3 or 4 times, and forcefully rocked him for approximately 10 minutes."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The Arkansas Online article describes inflicted "blunt force head...injuries" and that Webb "forcefully rocked him for approximately 10 minutes" and "pulled him closely into his body much harder than what he thought," which is consistent with abusive head trauma, though the term "shaken baby" is not explicitly used.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The Arkansas Online article identifies the accused as the child's biological father, "Cody Timothy Webb, 35," charged with capital murder in "the death of his 5-month-old son," Hatcher, who died "while under his care."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The Hot Springs article reports "A local man was arrested Tuesday morning on a capital murder charge in connection with the death of his 5-month-old son," and the Arkansas Online article states Webb "has remained in custody on a zero bond since his arrest Dec. 21."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The Arkansas Online article notes several notable details: this is a capital murder case where "Webb could face the death penalty or life in prison," the father "had worked as a paramedic" at LifeNet, and he was held on "a zero bond" in "solitary confinement at the jail since his arrest 'for his safety,'" with the judge deliberating over whether to set bond. A probable cause affidavit says Webb got "frustrated and annoyed" because of Hatcher's crying and caused the injuries trying to get him to stop.
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