On Christmas Eve 2022, first responders were called to a residence at Camp Sibert in Attalla, Alabama, where a 4-month-old boy was found in breathing distress. The child was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center and then to Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham, where doctors determined his injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. The child died on December 27, 2022. His father, Adam Foster-Cleve Williamson, 34, was the sole caregiver for the victim and two other young children during a Christmas holiday custody arrangement, as the parents were separated. Following investigation by Attalla police, with cooperation from the Etowah County District Attorney's Office, DHR, and medical experts at Children's Hospital, Williamson was arrested and charged with murder. There were no indications of prior abuse of this child or the siblings, and police described the incident as isolated.
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)
Both documents describe the child's death as the result of being shaken. Document 1 (gadsdentimes.com) states the child "died from brain injuries doctors at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham attributed to 'shaken baby syndrome.'" Document 2 (cbs42.com) states "doctors indicated to authorities that the baby's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome." Shaking constitutes inflicted 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?
Both documents explicitly reference shaken baby syndrome. Document 1 (gadsdentimes.com) states the child "died from brain injuries doctors at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham attributed to 'shaken baby syndrome.'" Document 2 (cbs42.com) states "the baby's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome."
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?
Both documents identify the perpetrator as the child's biological father. Document 2 (cbs42.com) states: "Adam Foster-Cleve Williamson, 34, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder in the death of his 4-month-old son." Document 1 (gadsdentimes.com) states: "the child's father, Adam Foster-Cleve Williamson, 34, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of murder."
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?
Document 1 (gadsdentimes.com) states: "the child's father, Adam Foster-Cleve Williamson, 34, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of murder." Document 2 (cbs42.com) confirms: "Adam Foster-Cleve Williamson, 34, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder in the death of his 4-month-old son."
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 incident occurred during a temporary custody arrangement for the Christmas holiday. Document 2 (cbs42.com) states: "Williamson was the sole caregiver for his three children, including the victim, during the Christmas holiday as part of a custody arraignment with their mother." Document 1 (gadsdentimes.com) adds: "The children's parents are separated...and the father had the children for Christmas." Additionally, Document 1 notes: "there were no indications of prior abuse with this infant, or the siblings" and "This appears to be an isolated incident." This context — a fatal shaking incident occurring during temporary holiday custody with no prior abuse history — is notable for researchers studying child fatality risk factors.
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