On March 9, 2023, four-month-old Autumn Duskin of Birmingham, Alabama was brought unresponsive to Children's Hospital of Alabama by private vehicle from her home and was pronounced dead at approximately 10 a.m. An autopsy performed by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office determined that trauma led to her death, and her manner of death was ruled a homicide. As of reporting, homicide detectives had presented the case to the Jefferson County Attorney's Office, but no formal charges had been filed.
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 al.com article states: "The Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Officer performed an autopsy on Autumn and, on Friday, said trauma led to her death." Combined with the homicide ruling from the Jefferson County Medical Examiner, this strongly implies that the infant sustained inflicted injuries, though no specific type of inflicted injury (e.g., punched, kicked, etc.) is named in either source.
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)?
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?
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 al.com article notes that "Birmingham homicide detectives have presented the case information to the Jefferson County Attorney's Office to determine if formal charges will be filed. No additional information will be released by police unless criminal charges are filed." This indicates the case was under prosecutorial review with no charges filed as of reporting, and that police adopted a policy of withholding further details unless charges materialized. This procedural posture is notable as it limits public knowledge of the perpetrator and specific circumstances of this infant's death. Additionally, the article notes Autumn was "Birmingham's 15th homicide this year," contextualizing the death within a broader pattern of violence in the city.
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