On September 24, 2024, deputies responded to a medical emergency at a home on SW Third Street in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where they found 1-year-old Zaire Cenatus in medical distress. The child was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Broward Medical Examiner determined that a significant amount of fentanyl was in the child's system and was responsible for his death. Investigators determined that the child's father, Wendy Previl (age 30), had been selling narcotics, and that the child's mother, Shaneka Dean (age 33), was aware of this activity. Both parents were found to have failed to provide proper care and supervision, and their culpable negligence led to the child's lethal intoxication. Both were arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and possession of fentanyl.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Both documents describe the child's death as resulting from drug exposure. Document 1 states the child "died from drugs, which included fentanyl." Document 2 states: "The Broward Medical Examiner's office did determine that a significant amount of fentanyl was in the child's system, and was responsible for the child's death."
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)?
Document 1 states that "Dean and Previl, failed to provide the care, supervision and services necessary for the young boy." Document 2 quotes BSO Spokesperson Carey Codd: "At this point in investigation it's determined parents failed to provide proper supervision." A neighbor also stated: "How is the baby gonna get a hold of that?" indicating the child accessed fentanyl 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?
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?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Document 2 identifies the father as Wendy Previl, using male pronouns ("his bond was increased to $175,000") and identifying Shaneka Dean as "the child's mother." Document 2 further states: "The BSO has determined Wendy Previl was selling narcotics, and that the child's mother, Shaneka Dean, was aware of this activity." The father was allegedly dealing fentanyl, which led to the child's exposure and death. He was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and possession of fentanyl.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Document 2 identifies Shaneka Dean as "the child's mother" and states she "was aware of this activity" (the father's drug dealing). Both documents confirm she was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and possession of fentanyl for failing to provide proper care and supervision.
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?
Document 1 states: "Wendy Previl, 30, of Pompano Beach, and Shaneka Dean, 33, of Deerfield Beach, were taken into custody Monday and face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child." Document 2 confirms both were arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter and possession of fentanyl.
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?
Document 2 states: "The BSO has determined Wendy Previl was selling narcotics, and that the child's mother, Shaneka Dean, was aware of this activity." Both parents were also charged with possession of fentanyl. The father's drug dealing and possession directly constitutes substance involvement by the parent/caregiver.
Notable Details
Document 2 reveals several notable details: (1) the father, Wendy Previl, was allegedly dealing narcotics — "The BSO has determined Wendy Previl was selling narcotics"; (2) the mother, Shaneka Dean, "was a teacher with the Broward School district at Boyd Anderson High School, and according to the district, she will no longer be working with students, and the district will be taking what they call the appropriate action." These details about the father's drug dealing as the source of the fentanyl and the mother's employment as a school teacher are substantive contextual facts not captured by other questions.
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.