Silas Chance-Kent Scott, a 2-month-old boy in Boonville, Indiana, died on February 15, 2022, from severe malnourishment and intentional starvation while in the care of his parents, Caylin Monroe and Jakob Scott. On the day of the fatality, the mother found the child deceased in his crib; the child was emaciated and pale. An autopsy found no formula or milk in the baby's stomach. Both parents admitted to sometimes forgetting to feed the child, with the father stating he would only feed the baby if the baby was crying, and the mother acknowledging she would forget feedings when the baby was quiet or she was busy with their other children. The father admitted to having a conversation with the mother about the child being starved, yet neither parent sought medical care. The mother had a prior substantiated DCS investigation for failing to feed another child and had been required to keep a feeding log. Both parents were charged with murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death; the mother was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
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)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The cause of death is explicitly listed as "SEVERE MALNOURISHMENT; INTENTIONAL STARVATION; NEGLECT" in the vital records document (INME_22_Scott.pdf). The fatality report states: "A 2-month-old boy died from severe malnourishment and intentional starvation." The child was described as "emaciated and pale."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Multiple sources describe the parents' failure to seek medical attention despite knowing the child was starving. The fatality report states: "The father admitted he had a conversation with the mother about the child being starved, but they did not seek medical care for the child." The People article quotes Monroe as saying "she thought there was something underlying wrong with Silas, but she never had time to call and get a new pediatrician." The Courier Press article states the sheriff's office claimed "Monroe and Scott failed to take the infant to a hospital despite knowing the baby could possibly die without treatment."
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)?
The official cause of death includes "INTENTIONAL STARVATION" per the vital records document. The question specifically identifies "intentional starvation" and "sustained deprivation of food" as examples of prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment. The fatality report states the father "admitted he had a conversation with the mother about the child being starved, but they did not seek medical care for the child," indicating the parents knew the child was being starved and deliberately failed to act. Both parents were charged with and convicted of murder, not merely neglect, reflecting the intentional nature. The Courier Press article states the couple "failed to take the infant to a hospital despite knowing the baby could possibly die without treatment."
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 perpetrators as "Father, Mother." Multiple news articles identify the father as Jakob Scott and confirm he is the infant's biological father. The People article identifies the victim as "son of Jakob and Caylin (Monroe) Scott." He was charged with murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report lists the perpetrators as "Father, Mother." Multiple news articles identify the mother as Caylin Monroe, confirmed as the biological mother. The Law & Crime article identifies the obituary reference: "son of Jakob and Caylin (Monroe) Scott." She was charged with murder and sentenced to 65 years in prison.
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 states: "Perpetrator history of substantiated assessments: Father, 0; mother, 1." The People article elaborates: "DCS previously investigated Monroe because of an incident with another child. She was required to keep a feeding log for that child." The Courier Press article also confirms: "the Indiana Department of Child Services had investigated whether Monroe had previously failed to feed one of her other children." This establishes a history of child protection reports for a sibling.
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?
Multiple sources confirm both parents were arrested and charged. The WTHR article states: "police arrested Scott's parents, 23-year-old Caylin Monroe and 22-year-old Jakob Scott, for murder and child neglect resulting in death." The Law & Crime article reports Monroe "was sentenced to 65 years in prison." The Courier Press article confirms both "have both pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death — all Level 1 felonies."
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
Several notable systemic details emerge from the sources. The People article states: "DCS previously investigated Monroe because of an incident with another child. She was required to keep a feeding log for that child." Despite this prior substantiated investigation for failure to feed a child, the fatality report confirms there was "No open DCS involvement" at the time of Silas's death. This represents a significant potential systemic failure where a mother with a documented history of failing to feed a child was not monitored when she had a new infant. Additionally, Monroe was sentenced to 65 years in prison per the Law & Crime article, and the Courier Press article notes she rejected plea offers from the Warrick County Prosecutor's Office before proceeding to jury trial.
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