Four-year-old Kamaiyah Perdue died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at the Martel Homes apartments in East Point, Georgia. Her father, Damarkis Perdue, admitted to police that he left a 9mm handgun on a window sill before taking a shower with the girl's mother, during which time the unsupervised child accessed and discharged the firearm. After finding his daughter on the bedroom floor with a gunshot wound to the head, Perdue disposed of the gun and shell casing and fled the scene before officers arrived. He was later located with help from a family member and was charged with second degree murder, second degree cruelty to children, and tampering with evidence, and is being held without bond.
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?
The news article explicitly describes a firearm incident. Perdue "left a 9mm handgun sitting on the window sill" and the child was found "suffering from a gunshot wound to the head." The article states the "4-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article describes inappropriate supervision. The father left a loaded 9mm handgun on the window sill and then took a shower, leaving the 4-year-old child unsupervised with access to the firearm. The warrants allege the father showed "reckless disregard for the safety of (the girl) who might reasonably be expected to be injured thereby with the gun when left in the window sill."
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?
The news article identifies Damarkis Perdue as the child's father: "An East Point father now charged with second degree murder allegedly left his gun on a window sill before his 4-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself." He left the firearm accessible, leading to the child's death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article states Perdue admitted he'd left the handgun on the window sill "before taking a shower with the girl's mother." They were together when they "heard the sound of the firearm being discharged." The biological mother was present and also not supervising the child when the incident occurred, though she is not named as being charged.
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 news article explicitly states that Damarkis Perdue was charged with "second degree murder," "second degree cruelty to children," and "tampering with evidence." He "is being held without bond after waiving a first court appearance on Tuesday."
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 news article contains several notable details: (1) The father was charged with tampering with evidence because, after finding his daughter shot, he "disposed of the gun and shell casing before leaving the scene." (2) A family member led officers to Perdue after he fled. (3) East Point Police issued a statement that the department "continues to stress the importance of securing weapons within your residence," suggesting awareness of a recurring public safety issue. These details surrounding the father's post-incident behavior and the police department's messaging are substantive.
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