Sequoia Samuels, a 4-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee, was killed by blunt trauma to the torso inflicted by her mother's boyfriend, Jaylon Hobson. According to the mother Brittney Jackson's statements to police, Hobson physically attacked Sequoia multiple times over a period of several weeks. After the last attack, Sequoia became unresponsive and never regained consciousness. Jackson admitted she never attempted to render aid to her daughter. Hobson placed the child's body in several garbage bags and stored it in the home for weeks before placing it in a garbage container outside the apartment on June 15, 2023. Jackson then filed a false missing persons report, triggering a multi-agency search. The autopsy revealed advanced decomposition and multiple acute and remote rib fractures, with the cause of death ruled as blunt trauma of the torso and the manner of death as homicide. Both Jackson and Hobson were indicted on charges including First Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Abuse, Aggravated Child Neglect, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, and False Reports. The child had a prior history of DCS involvement and had been temporarily placed with a relative in 2022 before being returned to her mother's 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)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The news article states that "Jackson told police her boyfriend physically attacked Samuels multiple times several weeks ago." The fatality report documents the sibling reporting the boyfriend "often whipped [REDACTED] for pooping and urinating on herself, stating she saw a bruise on her sister's body." The autopsy found "acute and remote fractures to the left 5th rib, acute and remote fractures to the left 7th through 12th ribs, acute and remote fractures of the right 9th through 12th ribs" and "Death was caused by blunt trauma of the torso."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The fatality report indicates the sibling reported that "her sister often urinates herself, so they try not to give her a lot to drink," suggesting deliberate restriction of fluids. The child was also reported to sneak food from the refrigerator and was punished for it: "[REDACTED] gets the most whippings because she poops on herself and sneaks food out of the refrigerator." While no medical finding of malnutrition or dehydration is explicitly documented, the pattern of fluid restriction and the child covertly seeking food is suggestive of deprivation.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article states "Jackson said she never attempted to render aid to her daughter" after the child became unresponsive from being physically attacked. Additionally, the fatality report notes the child had a feeding tube and ongoing medical care needs. The mother's complete failure to seek medical care after the child was attacked and became unresponsive 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)?
The fatality report describes a sibling born on December 20, 2023 while the mother was incarcerated. The report states the maternal great-uncle reported "the drugs that the AP/birthmother was using contributed to [REDACTED] being admitted into [REDACTED] Children's Hospital" and that per a TEIS assessment, "the baby is having withdrawals." This constitutes a mention of prenatal substance exposure (neonatal abstinence syndrome) for a sibling in this case.
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)?
The fatality report describes a pattern of prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment: the mother's boyfriend "physically attacked Samuels multiple times several weeks ago." The autopsy revealed "acute and remote fractures" to multiple ribs, indicating both old and new injuries over time. The sibling reported the boyfriend "often whipped [REDACTED] for pooping and urinating on herself." The child was forced to sleep alone in a room as punishment for incontinence, had fluids restricted, and was punished for sneaking food. After the child became unresponsive, the boyfriend "placed the child's body in several garbage bags and stored the body in the house" for weeks. This constitutes prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment extending well beyond typical physical abuse.
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 fatality report identifies the biological mother as an Alleged Perpetrator for Abuse Death. The CPIT classification was "Allegation Substantiated Perpetrator Substantiated" for both the mother and the boyfriend. The mother was indicted on "Aggravated Child Abuse, First Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Neglect, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, and False Reports." She admitted she "never attempted to render aid to her daughter" and made a false report about the child going missing.
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)?
The fatality report identifies the mother's boyfriend/paramour as an Alleged Perpetrator with the relationship "Other Non-relative." The report states he was the mother's paramour who "physically attacked Samuels multiple times several weeks ago." He was indicted on "Aggravated Child Abuse, First Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Neglect, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, and False Reports." The news article confirms Jaylon Hobson was the mother's boyfriend.
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)
The fatality report debriefing states: "It is known [REDACTED] had a feeding tube and ongoing medical care needs at the time of the incident." It further notes: "The mother reported [REDACTED] still had the feeding tube due to aspirating on liquids and for supplemental protein, but could eat by mouth also."
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 multiple prior DCS referrals: "ASMT [REDACTED] /ABN/Services Needed/3-15-22", "ASMT [REDACTED] /ABN/Services Needed/9-14-21", and "INV [REDACTED] /AUPU/1-27-20." Additionally, there was an open CPS assessment beginning 6-15-23 related to the lack of supervision referral filed when the child was reported missing. The TFACTS check confirmed four prior cases. Furthermore, the child was placed with a maternal aunt in March 2022 through court proceedings before being returned to the mother.
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)?
The fatality report includes a screened-out referral narrative stating: "[REDACTED] has went through a lot losing two siblings [REDACTED] and another sibling died during birth) and her father." This indicates a sibling death (during birth) separate from the current incident.
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The fatality report states both perpetrators "were both indicted on Aggravated Child Abuse, First Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Neglect, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence, and False Reports." The news articles confirm the mother and boyfriend were arrested and charged: "Jackson is charged with aggravated child neglect, abuse of a corpse, and giving a false offense report. Hobson is charged with giving a false offense report" (initial charges per the news article, later upgraded per the fatality report).
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?
The intake form in the fatality report asks "Does the alleged perpetrator have a criminal record?" and the answer for one perpetrator is "Yes." This was documented at the time of the initial intake on June 16, 2023, suggesting the perpetrator had a pre-existing criminal record prior to the current incident charges. However, the specific nature of this prior record is not detailed, and some criminal justice portal entries in the background checks may relate to the current case.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states the maternal great-uncle reported "the drugs that the AP/birthmother was using contributed to [REDACTED] being admitted into [REDACTED] Children's Hospital." Additionally, the baby born while the mother was incarcerated was reported to be "having withdrawals" per a TEIS assessment. These references clearly indicate substance use by the mother/caregiver.
Notable Details
Several substantive systemic and policy-related details are present. The fatality report states: "Court history- [REDACTED] was placed with her aunt, [REDACTED] in March of 2022. [REDACTED] was placed back in her mothers care on 09/27/2022 by the courts. The order stated that the Department did not meet the burden of proof." This reveals the child was previously removed from the mother's care due to safety concerns, but was returned by the court because DCS could not meet the evidentiary standard — and the child was subsequently killed while back in the mother's care. Additionally, the child's body was stored in garbage bags inside the home for weeks before being placed in a garbage bin outside. The mother filed a false missing persons report that triggered a massive multi-agency search. The mother was pregnant while incarcerated and gave birth to a baby who had drug withdrawals. The family had prior DCS history dating back to January 2020 with multiple referrals.
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