Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Multiple sources confirm the child died from drug ingestion/overdose. The fatality report (Q2.2022-1.pdf) states the "cause of death was ingestion of an illegal substance." The law enforcement press release states "the cause of death was determined to be 'Adverse Effects of Fentanyl'." The Patch article states there was "fentanyl in the child's blood." The 6abc article confirms "the cause of death was determined to be adverse effects of fentanyl."

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The grandmother, Donna Westmoreland, was the child's foster mother and left the infant unsupervised with his parents in violation of a Shelter Care Order. The law enforcement press release states: "Donna Westmoreland admitted to Bensalem Detectives that she left the infant unsupervised with his parents on the day of the infant's death, January 7, 2022, in violation of that order." The fatality report similarly states: "the maternal grandmother violated a safety plan in place which required visits with the child's mother and father to be supervised; the mother and the father were left unsupervised with the child in their home with an illegal substances and drug paraphernalia present."

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The biological father, Daniel Scott Howarth, was in the home when the child died and was charged and convicted. The fatality report names the "victim child's mother, father" as perpetrators. The 6abc article states: "Investigators later found that the infant's parents, Howarth and the child's mother Felicity Westmoreland, were in the home when the baby died. Drug paraphernalia located in their bedroom tested positive for the presence of fentanyl and cocaine." The Patch article identifies him as the father: "Bensalem Police are searching for a father who has been charged in the overdose death of his infant son."

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The biological mother, Felicity Westmoreland, was in the home when the child died and was charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The fatality report names her as a perpetrator. The 6abc article states: "Felicity Westmoreland previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. She was sentenced to 11-and-a-half to 23 months in county jail followed by three years probation."

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

The grandmother, Donna Westmoreland, was appointed as the baby's foster mother and was charged in the child's death. The Patch article states: "The baby's grandmother, Donna Westmoreland, was appointed as the baby's foster mother and was also charged." The law enforcement press release confirms: "Donna Westmoreland, the baby's grandmother, was previously appointed as the baby's foster mother." She violated the Shelter Care Order by leaving the infant unsupervised with his parents.

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

The maternal grandmother, Donna Westmoreland, was named as a perpetrator in the fatality report and was charged with child endangerment. The fatality report states the "maternal grandmother" was one of the perpetrators. The 6abc article states: "Donna Westmoreland, the grandmother, pleaded guilty to child endangerment and was sentenced to one-year probation." She violated the Shelter Care Order by leaving the infant unsupervised with his parents.

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

The child was in foster care at the time of the incident, placed with the maternal grandmother as foster mother. The Patch article states: "The baby's grandmother, Donna Westmoreland, was appointed as the baby's foster mother." The law enforcement press release confirms: "Donna Westmoreland, the baby's grandmother, was previously appointed as the baby's foster mother. The Bucks County Juvenile Dependency Court issued a Shelter Care Order prohibiting Donna Westmoreland from leaving the infant unsupervised with Felicity Westmoreland and Daniel Howarth." The fatality report also notes that after the incident, "the one other child in the home at the time of the incident was placed in kinship foster care," implying a pre-existing child welfare involvement.

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

The child was placed with the maternal grandmother (Donna Westmoreland) as his foster mother, rather than with his biological parents. The law enforcement press release states: "Donna Westmoreland, the baby's grandmother, was previously appointed as the baby's foster mother." The Shelter Care Order prohibited her from leaving the infant unsupervised with the parents, indicating the child's residential placement was with the grandmother, not the parents.

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report (Q2.2022-1.pdf) explicitly states: "The family was previously known to child welfare." Additionally, the existence of a Shelter Care Order and safety plan prior to the child's death indicates prior child protection involvement. The fatality report notes "the maternal grandmother violated a safety plan in place which required visits with the child's mother and father to be supervised."

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

All three adults were charged. The law enforcement press release states: "Felicity Westmoreland and Daniel Howarth were charged with involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia." And: "Donna Westmoreland has been charged with child endangerment." The 6abc article confirms convictions: "Daniel Scott Howarth was found guilty on charges of child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia." Felicity Westmoreland "pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment." Donna Westmoreland "pleaded guilty to child endangerment."

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Extensive drug paraphernalia was found in the parents' home, indicating substance use by the caregivers. The law enforcement press release states: "Police also discovered numerous drug baggies, syringes and a tourniquet commonly used for drug injection. Those items tested positive for the presence of fentanyl and cocaine." The fatality report states: "Illegal substances and drug paraphernalia were found in the room when emergency services responded to the home." The 6abc article notes: "Drug paraphernalia located in their bedroom tested positive for the presence of fentanyl and cocaine."

There are several notable systemic and legal details. First, the child was already in the child welfare system — the grandmother had been appointed as the baby's foster mother, and the Bucks County Juvenile Dependency Court had issued a Shelter Care Order prohibiting Donna Westmoreland from leaving the infant unsupervised with his parents. This protective measure failed when the grandmother violated the order on the day of the child's death. The fatality report further notes "The family was previously known to child welfare." Second, there were significant sentencing disparities: the grandmother received only one year of probation, the mother received 11.5–23 months in county jail plus three years probation, and the father was convicted at trial of child endangerment (but notably not of involuntary manslaughter). Third, the father initially had an active arrest warrant and was a fugitive before eventually being tried. Fourth, the mother's bail was set at 10% of $10 million, an extraordinarily high amount. The judge's comments during Howarth's trial are also notable: "That was one of the worst things I've seen in my life. Looking at that house, that baby never had a chance."