On May 29, 2024, Thomaston, Maine police responded to the Thomaston Walmart around 7:30 p.m. for a report of a 22-month-old child, Quayshawn Wilson, not breathing. The child was transported to Pen Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma and the manner of death as homicide. Aziayh Scott, 23, the mother's boyfriend who had recently moved from Louisiana and was living with the child and his girlfriend in Owls Head, was charged with manslaughter. After the child's death, the couple returned to Louisiana, and Scott was subsequently arrested in New Orleans through coordinated efforts of Maine State Police, Louisiana State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Scott's defense attorney claimed that improperly administered CPR by an off-duty nurse caused the fatal injuries, a claim the assistant attorney general contested.
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)
Multiple documents state that the Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as "blunt force trauma" and the manner of death as "homicide." Document 3 (News Center Maine) states: "deemed his death a homicide, ruling blunt force trauma as the child's cause of death." This constitutes explicit evidence of inflicted injury, though the specific mechanism (e.g., punched, kicked) is not described.
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)?
Multiple documents describe Aziayh Scott as living with "his girlfriend and the child" in Owls Head. The child's surname (Wilson) differs from Scott's, indicating Scott is not the biological father but the mother's boyfriend/paramour. Document 2 (WGME) states: "Scott, who is originally from Louisiana, had recently moved to Maine and was living with his girlfriend and the child in Owls Head." Scott was charged with manslaughter for the child's death.
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?
All substantive documents confirm that Aziayh Scott, 23, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for the child's death. Document 2 (WGME) states: "an arrest warrant for manslaughter for 23-year-old Aziayh Scott of Owls Head was issued" and "Scott was arrested on Wednesday in New Orleans, Louisiana." Document 4 (WGME) confirms: "Aziayh Scott is charged with manslaughter for the death of 22-month-old Quayshawn Wilson."
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
Document 4 (WGME) contains a notable defense claim: "Scott's lawyer says the force from incorrectly administered CPR from an off-duty nurse is what killed Wilson." The same article notes that "the assistant attorney general says it is unlikely that lifesaving efforts caused the injuries leading to the toddler's death." This defense strategy attributing the fatal injuries to bystander CPR rather than the defendant's actions is a substantive detail that could materially affect a researcher's understanding of this case. Additionally, the couple's flight to Louisiana after the child's death, requiring coordination between Maine State Police, Louisiana State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service to effect arrest, is a notable detail.
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