Zamiya Kelly, a 15-month-old girl in Athens, Georgia, became unresponsive on June 24, 2022, while in the care of babysitter Pamala Graves, 59, at the child's home on Oak Hill Drive in Athens-Clarke County. EMS transported the child to a local hospital, and she was subsequently transferred to the Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta. Hospital testing revealed the child had been exposed to fentanyl, opiates, and benzodiazepine. Zamiya was pronounced dead on June 25, 2022. Investigators determined that Graves possessed illegal narcotics in the presence of the child, resulting in what was believed to be accidental exposure. Graves was arrested and charged with felony murder and possession of a schedule II controlled substance. Notably, the official GBI record lists the cause of death as Acute Bronchopneumonia with a natural manner of death, which conflicts with the preliminary law enforcement determination of death by drug exposure and the felony murder charges filed against the babysitter.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The Law&Crime article states the hospital reported the child "was being treated after testing positive for 'exposure to Fentanyl, Opiates, and Benzodiazepine.'" The preliminary cause of death was listed as "exposure to illegal narcotics." The Online Athens article similarly states "the child was exposed to fentanyl, opiates and Benzodiazapine."
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)
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The Law&Crime article states: "Graves, of Elberton, was babysitting at the time the Zamiya was exposed to the narcotics." She was identified as "the person that the 15-month-old child was in the care of when the child was exposed to the illegal narcotics." The Online Athens article also describes her as babysitting when the child was exposed to drugs.
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 Law&Crime article states: "Pamala Graves, was taken into custody and charged with one count of felony murder and possession of a schedule II controlled substance in connection with the baby's death." The Online Athens article confirms: "Pamala Graves, 59, of Elberton was also charged with possession of schedule II controlled substances."
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 Law&Crime article quotes Lt. Barnett: "The Investigation indicates that Graves possessed illegal narcotics in the presence of the child which resulted in the exposure." Graves was the child's caregiver (babysitter) and possessed illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, opiates, and benzodiazepine.
Notable Details
There is a significant discrepancy between the official GBI fatality record and the news articles. The GBI record (GA_22_205.pdf) lists the manner of death as "Natural" and the cause of death as "Acute Bronchopneumonia." However, both news articles report that the child tested positive for fentanyl, opiates, and benzodiazepine, and the preliminary investigation determined the cause of death as "exposure to illegal narcotics." The babysitter was charged with felony murder. The Law&Crime article also notes that "the police report initially referred to the babysitter as Pamela Grace Parrish" before her identity was corrected to Pamala Graves. Additionally, the Online Athens article notes that hospital authorities in Augusta contacted Athens-Clarke police, "who in turn reported the matter to the Department of Family and Children Services offices in Athens and Augusta." The contrast between a "Natural" manner of death ruling and felony murder charges against the caregiver is a substantial discrepancy that would materially affect a researcher's understanding of this case.
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