unnamed boy
SHARE LINK
CANDID ID: AL_22_558
AGE
Infant
STATE
Alabama
DATE OF DEATH
11/17/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
A five-month-old boy was found unresponsive at a residence in the 200 block of James I. Harrison Parkway in Tuscaloosa early on a Tuesday morning. The child was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa and then transferred to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, where he remained hospitalized until he was taken off life support at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. The child had suffered injuries consistent with abuse. His father, Zoe Floyd Michael Jr., 29, who was the only adult home in the hours before the child became unresponsive, was charged with capital murder and held without bond at the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
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 the infant "died after suffering injuries consistent with abuse." While no specific type of inflicted injury is named, the phrase "injuries consistent with abuse" strongly implies the child suffered inflicted injury at the hands of an adult.

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?

The news article describes the accused as having the death of "his infant son," stating: "A man was arrested and charged with capital murder Thursday afternoon after his infant son died after suffering injuries consistent with abuse." The article identifies Zoe Floyd Michael Jr., 29, as the father and notes he "was the only adult home in the hours before the child became unresponsive."

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?

The news article explicitly states: "The Tuscaloosa Police Department's Family Crimes Division led the investigation and charged Zoe Floyd Michael Jr., 29, with capital murder." It also states he was arrested Thursday afternoon and "will be transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail and held with no bond."

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?

Lives Cut Short