A 14-day-old male child was born on February 5, 2022, to a homeless, drug-using mother who received no prenatal care. At birth, both mother and child tested positive for amphetamines and cocaine. The child was diagnosed with severe congenital medical conditions affecting his brain, including no brain activity and a brain completely filled with fluid. He was admitted to the NICU immediately after birth and was unable to suck, swallow, or eat on his own. His prognosis was poor, and a Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Intubate order was signed. The child's condition progressively deteriorated, and he died on February 19, 2022, while still in the NICU. A CPS investigation opened two days after birth was indicated against the mother for inadequate food/clothing/shelter, inadequate guardianship, and parental drug/alcohol misuse. An autopsy that doctors said would determine whether the mother's drug use caused the child's fatal congenital conditions was never performed, leaving the causal connection officially unresolved.
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 fatality report states: "The mother stated she was malnourished during her pregnancy." While this refers to the mother's nutritional status, the prenatal malnourishment directly affected the developing fetus. Additionally, the substantiated allegation of "Inadequate Food / Clothing / Shelter" relates to the family's circumstances.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report states that the mother "received no prenatal care" and "discovered she was pregnant at 6-months." While the formal allegations did not include Lack of Medical Care (LMC), the complete absence of prenatal care constitutes a form of medical neglect of the developing child.
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)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "The subject child was diagnosed with a positive toxicology for amphetamines and cocaine" and "experienced mild withdrawal symptoms and displayed seizure-like activity." The mother "reported drug use during her pregnancy and received no prenatal care." Under the infant birth section, "Drug exposed" is checked. The mother also "had used illicit substances, including heroin three weeks prior to the child's birth."
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 indicates the mother's drug use during pregnancy and lack of prenatal care likely contributed to the child's fatal congenital conditions. The CPS investigation was indicated against the mother for "Inadequate Food / Clothing / Shelter," "Inadequate Guardianship," and "Parents Drug / Alcohol Misuse" — all substantiated. The report states: "The child's doctor stated the lack of brain activity may have been caused by the mother's drug use while pregnant." However, the report also notes: "Due to there not being an autopsy, it was unknown if the child's death was the result of abuse or maltreatment by the mother," leaving the causal link unconfirmed.
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)
The fatality report states the child was "diagnosed with medical conditions which affected his brain," had "no brain activity," and his "brain was completely filled with fluid." The doctor reported "if the child lived, he would only develop to 3 to 6 months and his development would be devastating. The child would be unable to walk or talk." The child also "displayed seizure-like activity."
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
The fatality report states the child "was unable to suck, swallow" and that "he would need a G-tube in addition to other medical interventions" if he survived. The child "was not eating on his own and his vitals were sporadic." These describe severe physical disabilities.
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 documents a CPS investigation opened on 2/7/22 (prior to the child's death on 2/19/22) alleging positive toxicology at birth, homelessness, and parental drug misuse. Additionally, "In 2018, the father had an unfounded investigation which alleged LBW, IG and CHTS regarding an unrelated child."
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?
Under the section "During pregnancy, mother:" the checkbox for "Experienced domestic violence" is checked/listed among the conditions present during the pregnancy.
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?
Extensive substance use by both parents is documented. The fatality report states: "The mother reported drug use during her pregnancy and received no prenatal care" and "had used illicit substances, including heroin three weeks prior to the child's birth." The mother and child "tested positive for amphetamine and cocaine." The father was "discovered by nursing staff injecting drugs into the mother's IV." Both parents "were observed to be impaired by hospital personnel."
Notable Details
The fatality report describes several notable systemic and factual details. First, an autopsy was expected to determine whether the mother's drug use caused the child's fatal congenital conditions, but was never performed: "On 4/13/22, ACDCYF was informed that an autopsy was not completed and the child's body was released to the funeral home. It was stated that an autopsy was not needed due to there being no suspicion regarding the death that would have warranted an autopsy examination. Due to there not being an autopsy, it was unknown if the child's death was the result of abuse or maltreatment by the mother." This directly contradicted the doctors' earlier statement that "the results of the autopsy would conclusively determine if the mother's drug use was the cause of the child's congenital conditions." Second, the father was caught by nursing staff injecting drugs into the mother's IV while she was hospitalized. Third, a compliance issue was identified: a safety plan requiring supervised contact with the child was not reflected in the 7-day safety assessment tool.
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