Four-year-old Hazel Lidey was found unresponsive on November 17, 2022, at a home on Hill Haven Drive in Vale, North Carolina. The initial 911 call reported an overdose, with the father Christopher Lidey telling dispatchers the child might be "detoxing," but arriving EMS personnel found bruising all over the child's body consistent with trauma-related injuries. Hazel was airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte, where she died on November 20, 2022. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled homicide. Chelsea Crompton, the girlfriend of Hazel's father who was present at the home, was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. Investigators collected evidence from the home including a section of wall and a metal bat.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states that "the original call was for an overdose" and quotes Christopher Lidey on the 911 call saying, "I got a 4-year-old I think she may be detoxing." These are claims that the child may have ingested drugs or was experiencing withdrawal. However, the ME report lists the cause of death as "blunt force injuries" and EMS found "bruising all over the body," suggesting the overdose/detox narrative was possibly fabricated. The evidence of actual drug ingestion is unconfirmed and ambiguous.
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)
The ME report (NC_22_219.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Blunt force injuries" and the manner as "Homicide." The news article reports that EMS found the child with "bruising all over the body" and that "The child was reported by EMS to have suffered trauma-related injuries, due to the presence of bruising all over the body." A metal bat was also removed from the residence as part of the investigation.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The news article reports that Crompton told 911 dispatchers, "I think it's because she hasn't been eating regularly" and described the child as lethargic. This statement references inadequate food intake for the child, which relates to malnutrition. However, these were statements made during a 911 call that also included a likely fabricated overdose claim, so the reliability of this assertion is uncertain.
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)?
Both documents identify Chelsea Crompton as "the girlfriend of Lidey's father" / "the girlfriend of Hazel's father at the time." The ME report states Crompton "was arrested shortly after and charged with her murder." The news article confirms she was "charged with murder in the young girl's death." Crompton is a female paramour of the child's biological father.
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 ME report states that "Chelsea Crompton, the girlfriend of Hazel's father at the time, was arrested shortly after and charged with her murder." The news article confirms "Chelsea Crompton, the girlfriend of Lidey's father, had been charged with murder in the young girl's death. Crompton was taken into custody in Madison County."
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 details emerge from the text. First, the news article reports that the initial 911 call was for an overdose, and the father told dispatchers the child "may be detoxing," but EMS found bruising all over the body—suggesting the callers may have attempted to mislead dispatchers about the nature of the child's injuries. Second, investigators "cut out a section of a wall inside the home" and removed "a metal bat" as evidence, suggesting potential use of a weapon and possible evidence on a wall. Third, the news article reports the court indicated "this could be a capital murder case." Fourth, the ME report notes that as of April 1, 2024, a bond reduction request was denied "pending the outcome of a forensic pathologist's review of the autopsy," indicating an extended and still-evolving legal process well over a year after the death.
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