On April 3, 2022, police responded to a 911 call at NYCHA's Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx and found 6-month-old Dalilah Crespo unconscious and unresponsive in the bathtub of a third-floor apartment on Calhoun Avenue. She was transported to Jacobi Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Approximately 18 months later, in October 2023, the city medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. No arrests had been made and the specific circumstances surrounding the drowning remained unclear, with the investigation ongoing.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The NY Post article states: "The city medical examiner's office confirmed Thursday that baby Dalilah had drowned and that her death was ruled a homicide." The Bronx Times article confirms she was found "unconscious and unresponsive in the bathtub of the apartment." The PIX11 article similarly reports she was "found...unconscious and unresponsive in a bathtub." The drowning was ruled a homicide, indicating it was considered intentional rather than 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?
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?
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?
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
All three sources emphasize that the homicide ruling came approximately 18 months after the child's death, that the circumstances of the drowning remain unclear, and that no arrests had been made. The NY Post states: "The circumstances of the drowning remain unclear." The PIX11 article notes: "Police on Wednesday said they had no additional details surrounding the death." The Bronx Times article describes the investigation as remaining "a mystery." This prolonged delay in ruling and lack of arrests, with minimal disclosed details, is a notable procedural aspect of the case. Additionally, the death occurred in NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) public housing — specifically Throggs Neck Houses.
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