A 6-year-old boy weighing 45 pounds was found unresponsive at a home in Greer, South Carolina. His caregivers initially told authorities that he had fallen from a recliner, hit his head, and suffered a seizure, but toxicology results revealed he died from an overdose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), with enough in his system to kill an adult male. During separate interviews, the caregivers admitted that Sarah Elizabeth Stewart had given the child Benadryl because he was hyperactive. The autopsy documented bruises in various stages of healing, and a search warrant revealed the child was living in filthy conditions. Prior child abuse referrals had been made to the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Sarah Elizabeth Stewart, 32, was charged with homicide by child abuse and unlawful neglect, while Christopher Allen Stewart, 48, was charged with unlawful neglect.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states: "The toxicology results revealed that the victim died from an overdose of Benadryl." Additionally, "The victim, who was 6 years old and weighed 45 pounds, had enough Benadryl in his system to kill an adult male." The caregiver admitted to giving the child Benadryl.
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 news article states: "At the victim's autopsy, deputies said the child had bruises in various stages of healing which were documented, photographed, and collected along with other evidence." Bruises in various stages of healing, in the context of child abuse charges and prior DSS referrals, strongly imply inflicted injuries over time.
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)?
The news article states: "They said they also learned that previous child abuse referrals had been made to the South Carolina Department of Social Services." This confirms a history of child protection reports prior to the child's death.
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 news article states: "Stewart, 32, is charged with homicide by child abuse and unlawful neglect of a child. Christopher Allen Stewart, 48, is charged with unlawful neglect of a child. Both suspects were located in Abbeville County Thursday, taken back to Spartanburg, and booked into the detention facility."
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
The news article reveals a potential systemic failure: "they also learned that previous child abuse referrals had been made to the South Carolina Department of Social Services." Despite these referrals, the child remained in the caregivers' custody and subsequently died. When contacted, DSS responded: "We cannot confirm anything at this time." Additionally, the caregivers initially gave a false account to EMS and law enforcement, claiming "the child fell out of a recliner, hit his head on a hard floor, and suffered a seizure," which was contradicted by the autopsy and toxicology findings. The text also refers to the Stewarts only as "caregivers" throughout, never specifying their biological or legal relationship to the child, which is notable as it leaves the nature of the custodial arrangement unclear.
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