On September 26, 2022, 5-month-old Reed was found unresponsive at an unlicensed daycare operated by Patricia Wick (age 48) in Carrington, North Dakota. The child was life-flighted to Fargo, where medical experts determined he had suffered a traumatic head injury and cardiac arrest. Reed died two days later on September 28, 2022. An autopsy determined the cause of death was complications of blunt-force head and neck trauma, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. During the investigation, Wick admitted she may have put Reed down too hard and may not have been gentle with him because she was frustrated with him that day. Wick was subsequently charged with murder, child abuse, and operating a daycare without a license.
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)
Both articles state that Reed died "as a result of complications of blunt-force head and neck trauma" and that Wick "admitted she may have put Reed down too hard and may have not been gentle with him because 'she was frustrated' with him that day." The manner of death was ruled homicide, indicating inflicted injury.
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?
The Valley News Live article states the 5-month-old had "clearly suffered traumatic head injury and subsequently had a cardiac arrest" and that autopsy results showed he "died as a result of complications of blunt-force head and neck trauma." While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the inflicted blunt-force head and neck trauma on a 5-month-old infant ruled as homicide constitutes 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?
Both articles identify Patricia Wick as a daycare provider who was charged with murder, child abuse, and operating a daycare without a license. The Valley News Live article states "Carrington daycare provider charged with murder of 5-month-old boy" and the child was at Wick's home daycare at the time of the incident.
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 Valley News Live article states: "48-year-old Patricia Wick is charged in Foster County Court with murder, child abuse and operating a daycare without a license. Bail was set Monday afternoon at $500,000." The WSFA article corroborates: "Patricia Wick, 48, is charged with murder, child abuse and operating a day care without a license."
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, Wick was operating a daycare without a license, which is one of the charges against her. Second, the articles describe a prior incident two weeks before Reed's death where another child (a 6-year-old boy) broke his arm on Wick's unsecured swing set while in her care. The Valley News Live article states the parents "weren't called after the incident" and that "Wick downplayed the boy's level of injury" and "never inquired about the boy's wellbeing after the incident." A search warrant revealed that "Wick's swing set was not secured to the ground and could lift while in use." This pattern of prior injury to another child and unlicensed operation suggests systemic failures in oversight.
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