Dymar Byrd, a 1-year-old boy, was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on February 27, 2024, where he died. The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined that his cause of death was acute toxic effects of fentanyl after consuming substances, and his manner of death was ruled a homicide. No charges had been filed at the time of reporting, but the Columbus Division of Police was investigating the death. The coroner's office noted this case was part of a broader pattern of infant and toddler drug overdose deaths in Franklin County in recent years.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The medical examiner report (OH_24_2349.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Acute toxic effects of fentanyl" and the description of how the injury occurred as "Consumed substances." The 10tv.com article states "the boy died from acute toxic effects of fentanyl" and describes his death as a "fentanyl 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)
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)?
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?
Notable Details
The 10tv.com article provides notable systemic context: the Franklin County Coroner's Office has investigated several baby deaths from drug overdoses in just the last two years. Specific statistics are cited: "For children aged 3 and under, the coroner's office has closed the cases. In 2024, there was one overdose death. There were two homicide overdose deaths the year before. In 2022, there was one accidental overdose death, one homicide overdose death and one undetermined." Additionally, the coroner described a proactive safety mechanism: "Even before we issue a final cause or manner of death, if we have reasonable suspicion that there is a safety issue or children in the home are at risk, we have a mechanism or network to release that info." Despite the homicide ruling, no charges had been filed at the time of reporting, and police did not respond to interview requests.
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