On June 20, 2022, a one-month-old male infant was found unresponsive by his mother after they had been co-sleeping in an adult bed. The infant had blood on his face and was without a pulse when EMS responded but was resuscitated and transported to a local hospital and then to Children's Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs, where he was placed on a ventilator. The infant passed away on June 22, 2022. The autopsy determined the cause of death was asphyxia occurring in an unsafe sleep environment due to co-sleeping in an adult bed, with an adenovirus infection contributing to his death, and the manner of death was ruled an accident. The mother had a history of methamphetamine use and admitted to using methamphetamine the day before the infant's death; drug paraphernalia was found in the home. The father was incarcerated on domestic violence charges at the time of the incident. The family had prior child welfare involvement, including the sibling's placement into out-of-home care after ingesting methamphetamine.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report describes a prior incident in which the sibling ingested methamphetamine. The timeline states: "EPCDHS completed an assessment regarding concerns that the sibling ingested methamphetamine. The mother admitted to 'recently drop[ping] 12 pills' and was unable to find two of them. The mother believed the sibling might have ingested the remaining two pills."
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)?
The fatality report describes the mother falling asleep while co-sleeping with the infant, possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. The mother "fell asleep after breastfeeding the infant, but prior to placing the infant in the bassinet." The paternal relative reported that "the mother slept often and she believed '[the mother] [did not] know how to be a [mother].'" The mother admitted to using methamphetamine the day prior to the infant's death. These details, taken together, suggest a failure of appropriate supervision contributed to the unsafe conditions.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report describes the father assaulting both the mother and the sibling during a domestic violence incident. The timeline states: "EPCDHS completed an assessment regarding concerns for physical domestic violence perpetrated by the father on the mother while she was holding the sibling and pregnant with the infant, including the father's attempt to suffocate her." The identifying information section also notes the father was incarcerated "on charges related to domestic violence after assaulting the mother and the sibling."
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?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The fatality report explicitly identifies an unsafe sleeping environment as the cause of death. The autopsy report states: "[the infant]… died as a result of asphyxia occurring in an unsafe sleep environment. This [death] was incurred by co-sleeping in an adult bed." Additionally, the CFRT identified "a systemic gap related to observed inconsistencies across the state with regard to the child welfare and law enforcement involvement, policies, and practices when a child dies in an unsafe sleeping environment."
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The biological mother was directly involved in the death. The infant was co-sleeping with the mother in her adult bed while she was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. The fatality report states: "The infant was taken to a local hospital in critical condition after co-sleeping with the mother while she was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine." The allegation of "fatal, intrafamilial neglect – environment injurious was substantiated" against the mother.
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)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "Within the last three years, the family had prior involvement with El Paso County Department of Human Services consisting of one referral, two assessments, and one case." This includes a September 2020 referral about the father violating a protection order, an April 2021 assessment about the sibling's methamphetamine ingestion, a court-involved case from April 2021 to February 2022, and an April 2022 assessment about domestic violence.
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?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report extensively documents domestic violence. It states: "The parents also had a history of domestic violence in their relationship, primarily perpetrated by the father towards the mother." It describes specific incidents including the father's "attempt to suffocate her" and "kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant." The father was incarcerated on domestic violence charges.
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?
The fatality report references mental health for both parents. It states: "The father was reportedly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia." Regarding the mother: "While the mother did not have any formal mental health diagnoses, there was speculation that she might suffer from Bipolar Disorder and/or Schizophrenia." The CFRT also identified "The father's mental health history, which was possibly untreated" as a contributing risk factor.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report documents prior criminal history for both parents separate from the current incident. It states: "The mother's criminal history included charges of theft and motor vehicle violations." Regarding the father: "The father's criminal history also included charges of robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and assault." These are separate from the domestic violence charges that led to his incarceration at the time of the infant's death.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report extensively documents substance use by the parents. It states: "Both parents had a history of methamphetamine use and struggled at times to maintain their sobriety while caring for the children." The mother admitted to methamphetamine use the day prior to the infant's death and marijuana use the prior evening. The father also used methamphetamine prior to his incarceration. A maternal relative who resided in the home used heroin.
Notable Details
The fatality report identifies a notable systemic gap: "The CFRT identified a systemic gap related to observed inconsistencies across the state with regard to the child welfare and law enforcement involvement, policies, and practices when a child dies in an unsafe sleeping environment, and how those inconsistencies impact findings or charges for parents." Additionally, the infant's initial official cause of death was listed as "cardiac arrest," while the subsequent autopsy determined the cause was "asphyxia occurring in an unsafe sleep environment" with an adenovirus infection contributing. The infant also tested positive for adenovirus, which contributed to his death. Despite the substantiation of fatal neglect by the child welfare system, no criminal charges were filed and law enforcement moved the investigation to inactive status based on the autopsy's accident ruling.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.