A 5-month-old Black/African American male infant was pronounced deceased on January 1, 2022. The Medical Examiner's Office found controlled substances in the infant's system, though the autopsy report remained pending. The infant had resided with his mother and two siblings (ages 4 and 2). The infant's grandmother was investigated as the alleged maltreater for neglect, but the agency determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the neglect allegation. Law enforcement conducted a criminal investigation but no charges were filed. The infant's siblings were determined to be safe and remained with their mother.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states: "The Medical Examiner's Office noted the infant had controlled substances in his system." This indicates the 5-month-old infant had ingested or been exposed to drugs.
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)
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)
The fatality report identifies the infant's grandmother as the alleged maltreater: "it was determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect of the infant by the infant's grandmother." While the neglect allegation was unsubstantiated, the grandmother was the person investigated in connection with the infant's death, indicating she was implicated as being involved.
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 fatality report documents prior CPS history involving the infant's siblings: "On January 14, 2020, the agency screened-in a CPS Report alleging physical abuse of the infant's now 4-year-old sibling and neglect of the infant's now 2-year-old sibling by the mother." Additionally, screened-out CPS reports are listed for October 3, 2018, September 29, 2018, and December 1, 2015 (related to the grandmother).
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?
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?
The fatality report states "The Medical Examiner's Office noted the infant had controlled substances in his system," and the infant's grandmother was investigated as the alleged maltreater for neglect. The presence of controlled substances in a 5-month-old infant's system necessarily implies that a caregiver had possession of and likely used or had access to controlled substances, resulting in the infant's exposure.
Notable Details
The fatality report describes a significant delay in the agency receiving notification of the child's death: "The agency responded immediately upon receipt of the report; however, due to a technical issue, the notification was not received until July 12, 2022." The infant died on January 1, 2022, and the report was generated on February 4, 2022, but the agency did not actually receive it until July 12, 2022 — a delay of over five months due to a technical issue. This is a notable systemic/procedural failure that could materially affect a researcher's understanding of the case.
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