Three-month-old Cree Dax Lane Van Winsen was left alone with his father, 29-year-old Zachary David Van Winsen, in Washington, Illinois. On January 19, first responders were called after the infant became unresponsive. The father claimed Cree became pale while he was rocking him in a chair after a bottle feeding, but medical professionals determined this account could not explain the child's severe injuries. CT scans revealed significant bilateral hematomas and hemorrhages consistent with non-accidental trauma, and doctors identified severe bilateral retinal hemorrhaging indicative of violent shaking. Cree died on January 21, and an autopsy confirmed abusive head trauma. The father was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
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?
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)
The news article states that CT scans revealed injuries "consistent with non-accidental trauma" and that doctors described injuries "indicative of mechanisms of nonaccidental head trauma, including the violent shaking of a child." The autopsy confirmed "abusive head trauma" by another. The father was charged with first-degree murder.
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?
The news article explicitly states that doctors described the injuries as "indicative of mechanisms of nonaccidental head trauma, including the violent shaking of a child." Additionally, the autopsy revealed Cree suffered "abusive head trauma" by another.
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 states "Cree was left alone with his father, 29-year-old Zachary David Van Winsen, who has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder in the case." The text identifies Zachary as the child's father, and medical professionals stated that "Zachary's account would not explain Cree's severe injuries."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
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: "29-year-old Zachary David Van Winsen, who has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder in the case."
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 notes that "three-month-old Cree Dax Lane Van Winsen returned from OSF earlier in the day before losing consciousness and ultimately dying." This detail indicates the child had been at OSF hospital earlier on the same day the fatal incident occurred, which raises questions about whether signs of prior injury were present or missed during that earlier visit. This could be relevant to researchers examining whether medical systems had an opportunity to detect abuse before the fatal event.
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