On January 11, 2022, two-year-old Kyler Small found a family member's firearm at a residence in the 1400 block of 26th Avenue in Hueytown, Alabama, and accidentally discharged it, sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Hueytown Police and Fire responded at approximately 11:35 a.m. and began life-saving efforts before transporting the child to Children's Hospital, where he died. His mother, 23-year-old Krishana Danyell Small, was subsequently charged with manslaughter, with investigators indicating that negligence in the storage or placement of the weapon was a likely factor.
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?
Both documents describe the child's death as the result of a gunshot wound. Document 1 states: "A two-year-old child died following what Hueytown Police called a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Document 2 states: "her two-year-old son accidentally shot and killed himself on Tuesday."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The child found and discharged a firearm, and the mother was charged with manslaughter. Document 2 quotes attorney Roger Appell: "it's likely that someone was negligent with where the gun was placed or how it was stored." This indicates the weapon was left accessible to the two-year-old child, constituting inappropriate supervision regarding firearm access.
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?
Document 2 states: "Hueytown Police say a woman has been charged after her two-year-old son accidentally shot and killed himself on Tuesday. Authorities say 23-year-old Krishana Danyell Small is charged with manslaughter after the death of Kyler Small." The mother was charged with manslaughter for the child's 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?
Document 2 states: "23-year-old Krishana Danyell Small is charged with manslaughter after the death of Kyler Small." She turned herself in and was booked, with bond set at $30,000.
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 2 includes notable commentary from criminal attorney Roger Appell about the prosecutorial intent behind the manslaughter charge. He stated: "The district attorneys office is sort of making a message here... Listen folks, if you are going to have a gun in the house and you have children, you better protect those children from the gun. If you don't, this is what is going to happen to you." This suggests the charge was partly intended as a deterrent message about gun storage in homes with children. Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the child's first name between the two documents: Document 1 (published the same day as the incident) identifies the child as "Tyler Small," while Document 2 (published three days later after the mother's arrest) identifies the child as "Kyler Small." The later, more detailed report is likely the corrected version.
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