A five-month-old infant was found unresponsive between couch cushions by his mother after they both fell asleep on the couch. The infant usually slept in a pack-and-play but had woken up during the night, and the mother picked him up before they both fell asleep. His maternal grandfather began CPR and 911 was called, but the infant was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The cause of death was asphyxia due to wedging. At the time of the infant's death, two DCFS investigations were pending: one for medical neglect related to the mother failing to follow up on elevated bilirubin testing shortly after birth, and another involving a domestic battery incident in which the 20-year-old mother initiated a physical altercation with the maternal grandmother while intoxicated. During the second investigation, a CPI had identified unsafe sleep arrangements (the infant sleeping in bed with the mother), educated the family on safe sleep, and provided a pack-and-play. DCFS indicated the mother for death by neglect.
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)?
The fatality report states the mother "picked him up and they both fell asleep on the couch," during which the five-month-old became wedged between couch cushions and died from asphyxia. The mother falling asleep with the infant on the couch, an unsafe sleep surface, and the infant subsequently becoming wedged between cushions indicates a failure of supervision. DCFS "indicated the mother for death by neglect."
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states that police "witnessed the mother grab a phone from the maternal uncle while holding the infant, and the phone hit the infant, causing him to cry." While this was not an intentional attack on the child, the infant was struck by the phone as a result of the mother's actions during a physical altercation. The injury was incidental rather than deliberately targeted at the child, making the classification as an 'inflicted injury' ambiguous.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report describes a first investigation triggered when "the mother left the pediatrician's office before tests were completed for the infant, and the mother did not bring the infant for a scheduled appointment." The reporter noted "the infant's bilirubin levels were above the 75% range and could cause developmental delays if left untreated." DCFS later "unfounded the first investigation for medical neglect" — explicitly naming medical neglect as the allegation.
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?
The fatality report describes multiple unsafe sleeping arrangements. The child died from "asphyxia due to wedging" after the mother and infant "both fell asleep on the couch." The five-month-old "was found unresponsive between couch cushions." Additionally, during the second investigation prior to the death, "the CPI did not observe safe sleep arrangements for the infant and was informed the infant slept in bed with his mother." The CPI then "discussed safe sleep with the family and provided and helped set up a pack-and-play."
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 states the mother "picked him up and they both fell asleep on the couch," after which the infant was found unresponsive between couch cushions. "DCFS investigated the death and indicated the mother for death by neglect." The biological mother's actions directly led to the infant's death in an unsafe sleeping arrangement.
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 explicitly states the reason for review was "Two pending child protection investigations at time of child's death." The first investigation was opened five days after the infant's birth regarding medical neglect. The second investigation, opened in January 2022, involved domestic battery. "Both investigations remained pending at the time of the infant's death."
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?
The fatality report describes a domestic violence incident where the mother "arrived home intoxicated and initiated a physical altercation with the maternal grandmother while the infant was in the room." The mother "was arrested for domestic battery." The grandmother "attempted to restrain the mother so she could not hurt anyone."
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?
The fatality report states the mother "was arrested for domestic battery" in January 2022, following a physical altercation with the maternal grandmother. The child's death occurred in February 2022 from asphyxia due to wedging — an entirely separate incident. The domestic battery arrest predates and is unrelated to the fatal event.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states the mother "admitted to using marijuana" during the second investigation. The report also notes the "20-year-old mother... arrived home intoxicated" and the grandparents "were concerned when the mother returned home because she was not acting like herself." Additionally, the mother "denied drinking alcohol."
Notable Details
The fatality report reveals a notable systemic concern: despite a CPI having already educated the mother on safe sleep and provided and set up a pack-and-play during the second investigation, the infant still died from unsafe sleep on a couch just weeks later. Additionally, both DCFS investigations remained pending at the time of the infant's death, raising questions about investigation timeliness. The mother confirmed to investigators after the death that "a CPI had educated her on safe sleep and provided a pack-and-play," yet she still co-slept with the infant on the couch. The report also notes the case was classified as "Action taken: Full investigation pending," suggesting further review was underway by the OIG.
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