Three-year-old Riley Scott was found unresponsive at her mother's residence on Ellen Drive in Jackson, South Carolina on September 10, 2023. Her mother, Carolyn Paige Scott, told police she had been doing homework while Riley slept, and another child had tried to wake Riley after she had been asleep for approximately two hours. The mother found vomit on the bed and noticed the child turning blue before calling 911. First responders performed CPR, and Riley was transported to the Children's Hospital of Georgia where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy and toxicological analysis determined she died from an overdose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Her body temperature of 86 degrees indicated a delay of more than an hour in seeking medical assistance, and naloxone (Narcan) was found in her bloodstream, suggesting someone administered the opioid reversal drug before emergency services were contacted. The home was found to have no running water, illegally connected electricity, and evidence of narcotic use including uncapped syringes, foil, and suspected drugs within reach of children. Carolyn Paige Scott was arrested on February 5, 2024 and charged with homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Both documents explicitly state the child died of a drug overdose. Document 1 states: "An autopsy and toxicological analysis determined Scott's daughter, Riley Scott, had overdosed on fentanyl and methamphetamine." Document 2 similarly reports: "an autopsy report showed Riley had died on Sept. 10 due to an overdose from fentanyl and methamphetamine."
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)?
Both documents describe that the home had drugs within reach of children. Document 1 states: "the residence had evidence of drug use with uncapped syringes, foil and suspected drugs within reach of a minor child." The child was able to access and ingest lethal amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine while the mother claimed to be doing homework, indicating a clear failure of supervision.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Document 1 states: "she had a body temperature of 86 degrees, which indicated a more than hour-delay in seeking medical assistance." Document 2 corroborates: "which allegedly indicated there may have been more than an hour delay from when her symptoms first began to when police were contacted." Additionally, someone administered Narcan/naloxone to the child but failed to promptly seek professional medical assistance. The significant delay in seeking medical care for a child experiencing an overdose constitutes 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?
The child's biological mother, Carolyn Paige Scott, was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect. Document 1 states: "The child's mother, 26-year-old Carolyn Paige Scott, was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with homicide by child abuse." The mother was the caregiver responsible for the child at the time of 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)?
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?
Document 1 states: "The child's mother, 26-year-old Carolyn Paige Scott, was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person."
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?
Document 1 states: "the residence had evidence of drug use with uncapped syringes, foil and suspected drugs within reach of a minor child." Document 2 similarly reports: "Police also found 'evidence of narcotic use' in the home including 'uncapped syringes, foil and suspected drugs.'" The presence of drug paraphernalia and evidence of narcotic use in the home strongly indicates substance use by the parent/caregiver.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the documents. First, Narcan/naloxone was found in the child's bloodstream, indicating someone administered an opioid overdose reversal medication to Riley before first responders arrived, yet there was still more than an hour delay in contacting emergency services. Document 1 states: "Narcan, which is used to treat overdoses, was present in her blood, indicating someone administered it while she was still alive." This suggests someone in the household recognized the overdose and attempted to reverse it privately rather than immediately seeking professional help. Second, the living conditions were described as deplorable: Document 2 notes "the children in the home were living in 'deplorable conditions' with no running water and with electricity being provided illegally 'in an unsafe manner.'"
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