A three-year-old boy was shot in the head on April 22, 2023, while at the home of his mother's friend. His mother brought him to the hospital, and six days later, on April 29, 2023, the child was pronounced deceased. The mother told police that two bullets came through a window and one struck the child; however, police observed no damage to the windows, found a gunshot hole in the ceiling, and noted obvious signs of attempts to clean the scene. The mother refused to cooperate with both the child protection investigator and police. The homicide remains unsolved. DCFS indicated the mother for death by neglect and substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect. Approximately one year earlier, there had been an unfounded DCFS investigation regarding a burn on the child's arm.
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?
Both documents confirm the child died from a gunshot wound. The fatality report states the child "was shot in the head" and the ME report lists primary cause as "GUNSHOT WOUND TO HEAD."
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 child died from a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a homicide. The fatality report states the "Three‑year‑old was shot in the head while at the home of his mother's friend." The ME report confirms the primary cause as "GUNSHOT WOUND TO HEAD" with manner of death "Homicide."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report describes a prior investigation in which the child had "a large burn on his arm, wrapped in a dirty paper towel" and the mother had only treated it at home with "first aid burn ointment." The CPI "instructed the mother to take the toddler for medical treatment," suggesting the child was not receiving proper medical care for a significant burn. However, the report also states "DCFS unfounded the investigation for burns by abuse (#5) and medical neglect (#79)," so while the circumstances suggest a delay in medical care, the investigation did not substantiate 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?
The fatality report states the child was shot at the home of his mother's friend, and his mother brought him to the hospital. Police found that the mother's account was contradicted by physical evidence: "Police observed there was no obvious damage to the windows, there was a gunshot hole in the ceiling, and there were obvious signs of attempts to clean the scene. The mother refused to speak to the CPI or police." DCFS subsequently "indicated the toddler's mother for death by neglect (#51) and substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)." While the case is officially unsolved, the DCFS indication of the mother for death by neglect directly connects her to involvement in the child's 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)?
The fatality report describes a prior DCFS investigation in May 2022, approximately a year before the child's death: "In May 2022, DCFS received a report that the then 2-year-old toddler had a large burn on his arm, wrapped in a dirty paper towel." This investigation was unfounded for "burns by abuse (#5) and medical neglect (#79)."
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 describes significant suspicious circumstances surrounding the shooting that remain unresolved. Police found that the mother's account—that "two bullets came through a window, and one hit the toddler"—was contradicted by physical evidence: "Police observed there was no obvious damage to the windows, there was a gunshot hole in the ceiling, and there were obvious signs of attempts to clean the scene." The mother refused to cooperate with both the CPI and police. Despite the case being listed as "Unsolved" with no criminal charges, DCFS indicated the mother for "death by neglect (#51) and substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)." The discrepancy between the mother's account and physical evidence, along with evidence of scene tampering, are notable details that suggest the true circumstances of the shooting may have been concealed.
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