A 1-year-old girl was killed in Fairbanks, Alaska, on or around November 4, 2022. Her mother's live-in boyfriend, Zackry Johnson (age 31), was left to care for the child and her 6-year-old sister while the mother was at work. When the mother returned home late that evening, Johnson told her the baby was sleeping; the mother found the child dead the next morning. The child had multiple injuries consistent with assault. Johnson initially told police the child had been 'play fighting' with her older sister, but after being confronted with the inconsistency of the injuries, he admitted to using too much force while trying to get the child to nap so he could play video games. He demonstrated the actions he used and acknowledged they likely caused the child's death. Johnson was charged with second-degree murder.
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 "The 1-year-old child had multiple injuries to her body, consistent with being assaulted." Johnson "acknowledged using too much force as he was trying to get her to take a nap" and "demonstrated several of the actions he used on the child and further acknowledged his actions likely (led) to the death of the girl." These statements clearly indicate inflicted physical injury.
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)?
The news article identifies Zackry Johnson as the child's mother's "live-in boyfriend" who was responsible for the child's death. He was charged with second-degree murder after acknowledging "using too much force" on the child.
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?
The news article states: "Zackry Johnson, 31, has been charged with second-degree murder" and "A man has been arrested in the Friday death of an infant girl in Fairbanks."
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 news article details a notable motive: Johnson acknowledged he used excessive force on the 1-year-old child because he was "trying to get her to take a nap so that he could play video games." Additionally, Johnson initially attempted to deflect blame by claiming the infant had been "play fighting" with her 6-year-old sister before police confronted him with evidence that the injuries were inconsistent with that account.
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