A two-month-old female infant presented at a hospital on December 9, 2022, with significant inflicted head trauma and died one week later on December 16, 2022. Neither parent could explain the injuries. A child abuse pediatrician determined the injuries were likely the result of abuse. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, with the cause of death being closed head injuries due to inflicted head trauma. DCFS indicated both parents for death by abuse and head injuries by abuse, as they were the only caretakers for the infant. A prior DCFS investigation for medical neglect had been opened in November 2022 after the parents refused to take the infant to the ER following a pediatrician visit that revealed a distended abdomen; that investigation was still pending at the time of the child's death and was later unfounded.
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 cause of death is explicitly stated as "Closed head injuries due to inflicted head trauma" in both the fatality report (OIG2024-21.pdf) and the medical examiner report (ME2022-10082.pdf). The fatality report further states: "The child abuse pediatrician at the hospital stated the injury was likely the result of abuse."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report describes the parents refusing to take the child to the emergency room after the pediatrician recommended it: "Her pediatrician recommended the parents take her to the emergency room and arranged ride-share transportation for the parents, but they refused, so medical staff called 911 for an ambulance transport." Additionally, the report notes "DCFS later unfounded the November 2022 investigation for medical neglect (#79)." While the investigation was ultimately unfounded, the behavior of refusing recommended medical care is explicitly described as the basis for a medical neglect investigation.
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 cause of death is "CLOSED HEAD INJURIES. INFLICTED HEAD TRAUMA" per the medical examiner report. The fatality report states the infant "presented at the hospital one week prior to her death with significant head trauma" and that "The child abuse pediatrician at the hospital stated the injury was likely the result of abuse." DCFS indicated both parents for "head injuries by abuse." This constitutes 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 fatality report lists the "Alleged perpetrator: Mother and father" and states "the parents were the only caretakers for the infant at the time." The use of "father" and "parents" in the context of a 2-month-old infant implies the biological father. DCFS indicated both parents for death by abuse.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report lists the "Alleged perpetrator: Mother and father" and states "the parents were the only caretakers for the infant at the time." The use of "mother" and "parents" in the context of a 2-month-old infant implies the biological mother. DCFS indicated both parents for death by abuse.
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 describes a prior DCFS investigation: "In November 2022, DCFS received a report that the then 4-week-old infant went to her pediatrician for a weight check, where they found she had a distended abdomen." This investigation for medical neglect was pending at the time of the child's death in December 2022. The report states the reason for OIG review was "Pending child protection investigation at time of child'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?
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 fatality report highlights a significant systemic issue: the child died while a DCFS child protection investigation was still pending. The report states the "Reason for review: Pending child protection investigation at time of child's death." The November 2022 investigation involved the parents refusing to take the infant to the ER after the pediatrician found a distended abdomen — medical staff had to call 911 for ambulance transport. While this investigation for medical neglect was still open, the infant sustained fatal inflicted head trauma in December 2022. DCFS later unfounded the medical neglect investigation. This sequence raises questions about whether more urgent protective action during the pending investigation could have prevented the death.
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