On the night of January 22, 2023, Derricka Fleming, 25, of Clinton Township, Michigan, put her 5-year-old son to bed and then left the apartment. In the early morning hours of the following day, the boy left the apartment unsupervised and was eventually found in a nearby park. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the boy froze to death. Fleming pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and faces up to 15 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)?
The article states Fleming is "accused of leaving her son in her apartment on the night of Jan. 22, 2023 after putting him to bed." She left the apartment, and "In the early morning the next day, the boy left the apartment and was eventually found in a nearby park" where he froze to death. The child wandered off unsupervised, which is a clear case of inappropriate supervision.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of 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)?
The news article states that "the boy left the apartment and was eventually found in a nearby park before being transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead" and that "the boy froze to death." This clearly involves death due to outdoor exposure to cold/freezing temperatures.
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 article identifies Derricka Fleming as the child's mother. She "is accused of leaving her son in her apartment on the night of Jan. 22, 2023 after putting him to bed" and subsequently pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in connection with his 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)?
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 article states "Derricka Fleming, 25, faces up to 15 years in prison and will be sentenced on June 12 as part of her plea." She "pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her 5-year-old son."
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?
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