A 4-month-old baby in Richland County, South Carolina, was transported to a hospital on September 6, 2022, after the mother's boyfriend, Philip Coker (35), who was watching the child, reportedly woke up to find the baby unresponsive and called EMS. Hospital staff and investigators observed bruises on the baby's back, arms, legs, and ears. The child was placed on life support and pronounced dead on September 8. An autopsy on September 9 revealed a rib fracture, severe brain and eye hemorrhaging, and bruises across the body. Further investigation determined the baby had been injured in a prior incident, during which the mother, Cassandra Clautu (27), allegedly did not seek medical treatment. The death was ruled a homicide. Coker was charged with homicide by child abuse, and Clautu was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
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 describe extensive injuries consistent with inflicted trauma. The WIS article states: "An autopsy on Sept. 9 found the baby had a rib fracture, severe brain and eye hemorrhaging, and bruises across the body." The WSPA article notes: "the baby had bruises on its back, arms, legs, and ears." Coker was charged with "homicide by child abuse" (WSPA), further confirming inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Both articles describe the mother's failure to seek medical treatment for the baby's prior injuries. The WIS article states: "Further investigation found the baby had been injured during a prior incident. Investigators said Clautu did not seek medical treatment for the baby at the time." The WSPA article corroborates: "Clautu allegedly did not seek medical treatment for the baby. She has been charged with unlawful conduct toward a 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)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The WIS article reports autopsy findings of "severe brain and eye hemorrhaging" in addition to being "pronounced brain dead." The combination of severe brain hemorrhaging and eye hemorrhaging (retinal hemorrhaging) in a 4-month-old is a hallmark of abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome). While the specific terms "shaken baby" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the medical findings strongly imply this mechanism of injury.
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 biological mother, Cassandra Clautu, was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child for failing to seek medical treatment for the baby's prior injuries. The WIS article states: "Investigators said Clautu did not seek medical treatment for the baby at the time." The WSPA article confirms: "Clautu allegedly did not seek medical treatment for the baby."
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)?
Philip Coker, identified as the mother's boyfriend, was charged with homicide by child abuse. The WIS article states: "Her boyfriend Philip Coker is charged with homicide." The WSPA article specifies: "the boyfriend, Philip Coker, 35, was watching the baby and allegedly woke up to find the baby unresponsive" and "Coker was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse."
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?
Both Cassandra Clautu and Philip Coker were arrested and charged. The WIS article states: "Cassandra Clautu was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. Her boyfriend Philip Coker is charged with homicide." The WSPA article confirms: "Coker was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse."
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?
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