Nayisha Delaney, a 2-year-old girl in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, died on May 19, 2023, from the toxic effects of fentanyl. Investigative information indicated that fentanyl was being used by someone in the home, and it is believed that the developmentally appropriate toddler accidentally ingested the substance while in her residence. Antemortem blood toxicology confirmed fentanyl at 8.2 ng/mL and its metabolite norfentanyl at 0.57 ng/mL. Autopsy findings included diffuse cerebral edema and diffuse alveolar damage in both lungs. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The medical examiner report explicitly states: "It is likely that Nayisha, a developmentally appropriate 2-year-old girl, accidentally ingested fentanyl while in her home." The cause of death is listed as "Toxic effects of fentanyl" with antemortem blood samples showing fentanyl at 8.2 ng/mL.
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 autopsy report states that "fentanyl was being used by someone in the home" and that the 2-year-old "accidentally ingested fentanyl while in her home." While the report does not explicitly use the term "inappropriate supervision," the fact that a dangerous substance was accessible to a 2-year-old toddler in the home implies that the child was not adequately supervised or that the substance was not properly secured.
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?
The medical examiner report states: "Investigative information indicate that fentanyl was being used by someone in the home." While it does not specifically identify the user as a parent or caregiver, for a 2-year-old child, the individuals residing in the home would typically be parents or caregivers, making substance use by a parent/caregiver a reasonable inference.
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