Braelyn Hynes, a 2-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis, died on May 1, 2022, from bilateral pneumonia at her family's apartment in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She had been very ill with pneumonia in the days leading up to her death, but her parents, Byron Hynes and Madyson Conley, did not seek medical care, believing she would recover as other household members had from what they thought was the flu. The child was not using a prescribed high-frequency chest vest for her cystic fibrosis because she reportedly did not like wearing it, and her parents had not been regularly taking her to medical appointments or completing required lab tests. A DCS safety plan had been put in place just two months prior requiring proper medical care and a safe living environment, but neither was maintained. The home was found to be filthy with animal feces on walls, unsecured firearms, flies, and a strong ammonia-urine odor. The forensic pathologist determined the death was natural but preventable with timely medical care, and that the child was dehydrated at the time of death. Both parents were charged with multiple felony counts of neglect of a dependent.
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 DCS fatality report (INDCS_22_Hynes.pdf) explicitly states: "At autopsy, the child was found to be dehydrated."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The DCS fatality report (INDCS_22_Hynes.pdf) explicitly states: "A 2-year-old girl died as a result of medical neglect." It further details that "the parents did not seek medical care," "The parents had not been regularly taking the child to scheduled medical appointments or completing necessary lab tests," and "the child's doctor reported that without consistent medical care and medication compliance, cystic fibrosis could be deadly." The WANE news article corroborates this, noting that the forensic pathologist said "the death would have been preventable had the girl received proper medical care" and that a DCS safety plan for medical care was not followed.
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?
The DCS fatality report (INDCS_22_Hynes.pdf) identifies the perpetrators as "Father, Mother" and states "She lived with her parents and siblings." The child's last name is Hynes, matching Byron A. Hynes, who is identified as the father. The DCS report's use of "Father" (rather than stepfather or paramour) indicates a biological relationship.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The DCS fatality report (INDCS_22_Hynes.pdf) identifies the perpetrators as "Father, Mother" and states "She lived with her parents and siblings." The DCS report's use of "Mother" explicitly designates her as the child's mother, not a paramour or other caregiver role.
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)
The child suffered from cystic fibrosis, a physical condition requiring ongoing medical treatment. The WANE news article describes cystic fibrosis as "an inherited disorder that causes damage to the lungs." Additionally, the child required a specialized "high frequency vest" for treatment, which vibrates the chest to loosen mucus. The DCS report notes the child required "consistent medical care and medication compliance" to manage the disease.
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 DCS fatality report (INDCS_22_Hynes.pdf) states: "Number of previous unsubstantiated assessments for victim: 1" and "Perpetrator history of substantiated assessments: Father, 1; Mother, 1." The WANE news article further details: "An investigation into the couple in 2021 showed they were giving improper medical care to the children who suffered from cystic fibrosis in the home" and "In March 2022, two months before the girl's death, DCS put a safety plan in place for the couple."
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 WANE news article states: "Allen County Prosecutors on Thursday formally charged 24-year-olds Byron A. Hynes and Madyson P. Conley with Level 1 felony counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, Level 3 felony counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and Level 6 felony counts of neglect of a dependent." It also notes: "Arrest warrants have been issued for Conley and Hynes." The Journal Gazette confirms the same charges.
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 text. First, the DCS fatality report states there was "No open DCS involvement" at the time of the fatal event, yet the WANE news article reports that "In March 2022, two months before the girl's death, DCS put a safety plan in place for the couple that both Conley and Hynes approved and signed." This suggests that despite identifying the risk and creating a safety plan, DCS did not maintain active oversight. Second, another child in the home also suffered from cystic fibrosis and was also not receiving the medical care outlined in the safety plan, indicating ongoing neglect of multiple children. Third, the home contained unsecured firearms accessible to older children, multiple cats, feces smeared on walls, and other hazardous conditions, yet this was allowed to persist after a safety plan was enacted. The Journal Gazette also notes that the parents were investigated by DCS "for improper care between 2021 and March 2022," suggesting a prolonged period of known risk without effective intervention.
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