On January 17, 2023, 16-month-old Dontarrius Fiffer was laid down for a nap between 3:00 and 4:00 PM by his mother, Charlesana Thomas, at their home in Duval County, Florida. When the mother went to wake him between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, she found him unresponsive with vomit around his mouth. A visiting friend performed CPR while another drove them to UF Health Shands, where the child was pronounced deceased at 7:45 PM. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication with an undetermined manner of death. The mother tested positive for THC, methamphetamines, bupropion, and Kratom, and later admitted to allowing a friend who used fentanyl and other drugs to stay in the home. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office closed its investigation without criminal charges, as it could not determine whose drugs the child ingested. DCF verified findings of death due to neglect from substance misuse and inadequate supervision by the mother, who had been the subject of 10 prior CPS investigations since 2018.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states that "the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication." The CPT noted "Some children pick up such substances that are left on the floor or furniture. Deliberate administration is another possibility." The FL_23_2146.pdf also states "The child's death was subsequently determined to be the result of fentanyl intoxication."
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 (2023-017474.pdf) states that DCF closed the investigation "with verified findings of death due to neglect due to substance misuse-illicit drugs and inadequate supervision by the mother." The CPT further noted: "Some children pick up such substances that are left on the floor or furniture," indicating the child may have accessed drugs left in the home due to inadequate supervision.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states verified findings of "failure to thrive" for the youngest sibling. Failure to thrive is a clinical term closely associated with malnutrition and inadequate nourishment, though the term malnutrition or starvation is not used explicitly.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states: "The investigation is also being closed with verified findings of failure to thrive and medical neglect for the youngest sibling by the mother."
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?
The fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states: "In February, an investigation listing the two oldest half-siblings as the child victims and an uncle as the caregiver responsible was closed with verified findings of sexual abuse-sexual battery." While this pertains to half-siblings rather than the deceased child, sexual abuse is affirmatively mentioned as having occurred within the family.
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?
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 fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states: "DCF Duval County Child Protective Investigations closed the investigation on October 11th, 2023 with verified findings of death due to neglect due to substance misuse-illicit drugs and inadequate supervision by the mother." The mother, Charlesana Thomas, was found to have allowed a friend who used fentanyl and other drugs to stay in the home, and tested positive for multiple substances herself.
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 (2023-017474.pdf) states: "Since 2018, the family has been involved in 10 prior investigations with patterns related to substance misuse." It further details three investigations in 2022 involving the decedent and 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?
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?
The fatality report (2023-017474.pdf) states: "The mother was drug screened and tested positive for THC." A subsequent screen "came back positive for THC, methamphetamines, bupropion, and Kratom." The mother also "admitted to marijuana use" and "stated that she allowed another friend to stay at her home who used fentanyl and other drugs." The family had "10 prior investigations with patterns related to substance misuse."
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the fatality report (2023-017474.pdf). First, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office closed its investigation "without pursuing criminal charges based on being unable to determine whose drugs were ingested by the child," representing a significant gap in accountability. Second, the Child Protection Team raised the possibility of deliberate poisoning: "Deliberate administration is another possibility." Third, the family had 10 prior CPS investigations since 2018 "with patterns related to substance misuse," yet the child remained in the home, indicating potential systemic failures in child protection intervention. Fourth, the mother's drug screens revealed substances (methamphetamines, bupropion, Kratom) she could not explain, and she admitted to allowing a friend who used fentanyl to stay in the home with five children present.
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