Kadaris Maddox, a 13-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who was wheelchair-bound and speech-impaired, was found dead in his Clarksville, Tennessee home on July 6, 2022. His mother, Cheyenne Maddox, called 911 claiming he had suffocated himself with a blanket, but when officers arrived the child was already stiff and cold. An autopsy determined the cause of death was malnutrition, with the manner of death consistent with homicide; Kadaris weighed only 35 pounds at the time of death, below the 5th percentile for both weight and height. Kadaris was entirely dependent on others for feeding and daily care, yet his mother — the sole caregiver — admitted to a home healthcare nurse that the child did not eat after 5 PM and was not attended to until 8 or 9 AM the following morning. Prescribed Ensure nutritional supplements were never administered. The family home was extremely cluttered and unsanitary, with no beds for the children, and Kadaris was typically left on the floor soaked in urine and feces. The family had an extensive DCS history spanning over 25 referrals, with an active CPS case at the time of death. The mother was initially arrested on five counts of child abuse/neglect, later indicted for first-degree murder, and ultimately convicted of reckless homicide and aggravated child neglect. The six surviving children were placed in state custody.
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)?
The fatality report documents that the mother gave the child juice at 8:00 AM and did not check on him until approximately 1:30 PM. The mother also "left [child] at home while she took the younger children to McDonalds and daycare" and "was left alone again when the family went to look for the dogs." The healthcare nurse reported: "She left him at home everyday. If I was late, he would be at home in the house by himself." The child was wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy, completely dependent on others for his care, and was left without supervision for extended periods.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The autopsy stated: "the cause of death is malnutrition. The manner of death is consistent with homicide." The child was described as "a cachectic teenage male" who was "below the 5th percentile in both weight and length for age." The disability-memorial.org page reports the child weighed "only 35 pounds at death." Healthcare nurses reported the child was perpetually hungry: "I would make [child] ten (10) to twelve (12) packs of oatmeal and he would eat all of it and then two hours later he would be starving again." The nurse also reported "his mouth was really dry. He had blisters around his mouth."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report documents significant medical neglect. The child had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and dysphagia, and was approved for 45 hours/week of CNA services and Ensure nutritional supplements. The care summary states: "On 11/24/21 he was approved for Ensure, 2 cans per day. CNA in the home states that [child] has never received or has been administered Ensure since she has been working in the home." The healthcare nurse reported: "She didnt take him to his appointments, she didnt take him to the dentist, she didnt take him outside." The child's last well-child visit was 12/21/20, where concerns about low weight and outgrown equipment were noted. Prior DCS history also includes multiple allegations of medical maltreatment.
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?
Multiple references to sexual abuse appear in the DCS history for siblings. The FAST assessment for one sibling notes "history of sexual abuse 'During a forensic interview child reported sexual abuse by maternal uncle.'" Prior DCS investigations included substantiated allegations of sexual abuse (classification ASPS for Sexual Abuse). Additionally, a healthcare nurse reported the mother "said something about the brother raped all the kids." While the sexual abuse does not involve the deceased child directly, it is clearly mentioned in the case documents.
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The text describes a pattern consistent with sustained deprivation of food to a completely helpless, wheelchair-bound, speech-impaired 13-year-old. The mother told the nurse that the child "does not eat after 5 o'clock and I dont come back to the home until 8 oclock in the morning," effectively admitting she intentionally limited his food access for 15+ hours daily. Despite the child being approved for Ensure nutritional supplements, "CNA in the home states that [child] has never received or has been administered Ensure since she has been working in the home." The nurse reported the child would eat 10-12 packs of oatmeal and be "starving again" two hours later. The detective's theory was that the child was "starved to death." The child weighed 35 pounds at age 13, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. This constitutes sustained deprivation of food over an extended period to a child who was entirely dependent on his caregiver for sustenance.
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The fatality report documents that the child had no bed and slept on the floor or couch. The healthcare nurse reported: "[child] had no bedroom, and he was always on the floor or the couch. He would be soaked in urine and feces with a blanket." The children in the home did not have beds. The home was so cluttered it could not be walked through. The mother initially called 911 stating the child had suffocated with a blanket, though the actual cause of death was malnutrition. The sleeping conditions—on the floor amidst extreme clutter with no bedding beyond a blanket—constitute 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, Cheyenne Maddox, was identified as the sole caregiver and the alleged perpetrator. The fatality report states: "AP was the sole caregiver for [child]." She was arrested for child abuse/neglect/endangerment, later charged with aggravated child abuse, and indicted for first-degree murder. The disability-memorial.org page confirms she was "found guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated child neglect." The autopsy determined the cause of death was malnutrition and the manner of death was consistent with homicide.
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?
The fatality report documents that the child was not attending school. The care summary from 3/10/22 states: "He is still not attending school nor does he have a homebound teacher." The earlier summary from 11/10/21 states: "He is currently not attending school but has been approved to have a homebound teacher for 30 days." On 10/25/21, "orders were submitted to the school to provide homebound services." At the time of death, there was an open CPS investigation regarding educational neglect. The mother "was ultimately uncooperative prior to school dismissing for the summer" regarding enrolling the child in school. The family was also "served with seven (7) truancy letters for all the kids."
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)
The child had cerebral palsy, which is a neurological condition. The Clarksville Now article describes him as "speech impaired." The fatality report notes he was wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. His medical records reference a "communication device that is used at school but nothing for home" and he required assistance with all activities of daily living. The nurse reported having to "carry [child] like a baby into the tub."
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
The fatality report states the child "had health problems including cerebral palsy and other concerns; he was not mobile and rolled around to get around the home." The care summary describes him as "a 13 year old male who is wheelchair bound with diagnoses of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, history of seizures (mom reports last seizure was in 2012), and dysphagia." The Clarksville Now article describes him as "wheelchair-bound." His medical orders included CNA assistance for bathing, mobility, toileting, and nutrition.
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 fatality report documents an extensive history of CPS reports dating back to at least 2013. The opening summary lists over 25 prior referrals including assessments, investigations, and special investigations. Substantiated allegations include sexual abuse. At the time of the child's death, there was an open CPS case regarding educational neglect (opened 3/30/22), and another CPS case regarding nutritional neglect and physical abuse had just closed on 6/30/22. Prior history includes allegations of medical maltreatment, nutritional neglect, physical abuse, lack of supervision, environmental neglect, psychological harm, and sexual abuse across multiple investigations.
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?
Multiple arrests and charges are documented. The fatality report states: "AP was arrested for Child Abuse/Neglect/Endangerment, due to the nature of the home." The WKRN article reports: "Cheyenne was arrested for abuse and neglect charges related to Kadaris" on Sept. 9, and on Oct. 9, "Cheyenne turned herself in... and was served with the indictment for first-degree felony murder." The fatality report notes: "the mother was indicted and arrested on 1st Degree Murder for the death of ACV." The disability-memorial.org page states she was ultimately "found guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated child neglect."
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?
The FAST assessment scores the mother's Mental Health at 1 with the justification "Needs counseling services" and Adjustment to Traumatic Experiences at 1 with "mothers paramour committed suicide in the family home." A healthcare nurse stated: "She has a mental issue and I think it is because the ex husband killed himself in that home and I dont think she had time to grieve." The case closing summary notes: "The mother has been referred for mental health, parenting and homemaker services which will also be monitored through the open case."
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
A screened-out intake narrative in the fatality report states regarding the children's non-custodial father: "Their father is a drug addict who is homeless." While this refers to the father rather than the primary caregiver (the mother), the father is technically a parent. The FAST assessment for the mother scored Substance Use at 0 with "No Evidence."
Notable Details
The fatality report reveals multiple significant systemic failures. The family had over 25 prior CPS referrals dating back to 2013, including substantiated allegations and multiple investigations. At the time of the child's death, there was an active open CPS investigation for educational neglect, and a separate CPS case regarding nutritional neglect and physical abuse had closed just six days prior on 6/30/22 as "No Services Needed." The mother actively evaded DCS oversight; the healthcare nurse reported the mother would say "if DCS come by dont open the door" and the nurse from a different period reported the mother "would say that they wanted to come by and she would tell them an excuse why she could not meet." Additionally, a screened-out intake suggests the child may have actually died on 7/4/22 rather than 7/6/22: "passed away on 7/4/22. This was not reported to the police until today" and "was still in the home for 2 days after he passed." Montgomery County DCS was also experiencing severe staffing shortages at the time, with only 25 of 36 case manager positions filled. Healthcare nurses had reported concerns about the child's care to their employer and DCS, yet the child still died. Young siblings (ages 8-9) had been delegated the responsibility of feeding the disabled 13-year-old.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.