A 3-month-old baby died on April 9, 2023, in Escambia County, Alabama, from a fractured skull and brain bleeding after being struck in the head. The child's mother, Shelby Lynne Comalander, 24, and her stepfather/boyfriend, Larry William Jackson, 48, were both charged with murder and aggravated child abuse. Court records indicate the baby endured abuse for weeks before death, and neither adult sought medical help for the child during that period.
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 baby "was struck in the head" and died from "a fractured skull and bleeding in their brain." This is clear evidence of inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article states: "Neither Comalander nor Jackson tried to get medical help for the child, according to court records." This constitutes explicit evidence 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?
The news article describes the baby dying from "a fractured skull and bleeding in their brain" after being "struck in the head." This constitutes abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The news article states: "The baby endured the abuse for weeks before they died, according to the complaints filed against the pair in Escambia County Circuit Court." This indicates a sustained pattern of deliberate cruelty over an extended period, beyond a single act of abuse.
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?
The news article identifies Shelby Lynne Comalander as the mother of the child and states she was "charged with murder aggravated child abuse after the baby died."
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 Larry William Jackson as the mother's stepfather and also her boyfriend: "A Florida mother and her Alabama stepfather, who is also her boyfriend." Jackson was charged with murder and aggravated child abuse. He is a male paramour (boyfriend) and a stepfather to the mother.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Larry William Jackson is described as the mother's stepfather, making him a step-grandparent to the child. The article states: "Comalander is Jackson's stepfather, and Jackson is also Comalander's boyfriend" (likely a typo; context and earlier text clarify Jackson is Comalander's stepfather). As the mother's stepfather, Jackson qualifies as an adult relative involved in the death.
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: "Shelby Lynne Comalander, 24, of McDavid, Florida, and Larry William Jackson, 48, of Atmore, were charged with murder aggravated child abuse after the baby died April 9." It also states they "were arrested on murder and other charges Friday."
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 reveals an unusual familial and romantic relationship between the two charged adults: Larry William Jackson is described as both the stepfather and the boyfriend of the child's mother, Shelby Lynne Comalander. The article states: "A Florida mother and her Alabama stepfather, who is also her boyfriend" and "Jackson is also Comalander's boyfriend, according to NBC 15 in Mobile." This highly unusual dual relationship between the two perpetrators — a stepfather-stepdaughter relationship that is simultaneously a romantic partnership — is a notable and disturbing detail that may be relevant to understanding the family dynamics surrounding this child's death.
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