On March 28, 2023, a house fire broke out in South Carson City, Nevada, while a 3-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother were home alone. Their mother, 23-year-old Samantha Paulino, had allegedly left the children unsupervised to register for college classes. Washoe Tribal Police and first responders arrived to find the home engulfed in flames and rescued both children, who were unresponsive but breathing. Both were transported to the hospital, where the 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead. The 2-year-old boy suffered serious smoke inhalation injuries but was expected to survive. Neighbors reported that the mother frequently left the children home alone. Paulino was arrested and charged with open murder and child abuse causing substantial bodily harm. The children's father was reportedly at work during the fire. The cause of the fire and the investigation into the death remained ongoing at the time of reporting.
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 news article states: "Authorities say she left the children at home alone." It further reports that "Neighbors told officers that two children, who were allegedly left alone by their mother often, may be inside." The mother left the children unsupervised in the home while she went to register for college classes, resulting in the children being trapped in the house fire.
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)?
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 news article identifies the children's mother as 23-year-old Samantha Paulino, who "allegedly told officers she left the children home while she went to register for college classes." She was charged with "open murder and child abuse causing substantial bodily harm." The mother's act of leaving the children unsupervised directly led to their inability to escape the house fire, resulting in the 3-year-old'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 states under Section G: "April 1, 2021 – Information only report with no allegations listed." This documents a prior child protection system contact predating the fatal incident.
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 news article states: "Paulino was immediately taken into custody for suspected child abuse and neglect. She was later booked on charges of open murder and child abuse causing substantial bodily harm, according to the sheriff's office. She is being held without bail."
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
Two notable details emerge from the sources. First, Washoe Tribal Police were the initial responders to the fire scene, as the news article states: "Washoe Tribal Police arrived at the scene of a house fire at 12:12 p.m. Tuesday in South Carson City, Nevada." This suggests the fire occurred on or near the Washoe Tribal Colony, which may have implications for jurisdictional matters. Second, neighbors reported a pattern of the children being left alone: "Neighbors told officers that two children, who were allegedly left alone by their mother often, may be inside." This suggests a recurring pattern of supervisory neglect rather than an isolated incident. Additionally, the prior 2021 CPS contact described as an "information only report with no allegations listed" may raise questions about whether the child welfare system had an earlier opportunity to intervene.
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