Kenneth Drake Burse
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CANDID ID: AR_23_1101
AGE
Infant
STATE
Arkansas
DATE OF DEATH
6/23/2023
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On the evening of June 23, deputies in Lonoke County, Arkansas responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at a home on Hester Loop. First responders administered life-saving measures before transporting the baby to Arkansas Children's Hospital, where the child later died from injuries sustained to the head. An investigation led to the arrest of the child's 22-year-old father, Richard Burse, who was charged with first-degree murder. He was held in the Lonoke County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond and later released.
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 articles report that the infant "sustained injuries to the head" (Document 1) and "suffered injuries to the head" (Document 2), and the child's father was charged with first-degree murder. In the context of a murder charge against the father for an infant's head injuries, inflicted injury is strongly implied, though the specific mechanism (e.g., slapped, punched, struck) is not described.

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 articles describe an infant who died from head injuries, with the father charged with first-degree murder. Document 1 states the child "sustained injuries to the head" and Document 2 states "the child suffered injuries to the head and that the infant later died." Fatal head injuries inflicted on an infant by a caregiver are consistent with abusive head trauma, though the specific term is not used in either article.

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 articles identify the suspect as the child's father. Document 1 states "22-year-old Lonoke man was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his infant child." Document 2 states "Detectives developed evidence during the investigation that led to the arrest of the child's father, 22-year-old Richard Burse." He is identified as the child's father, which in the absence of any indication to the contrary implies a biological relationship.

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 states: "Richard Burse was arrested after being developed as a suspect following the death of his child" and he was "charged with first-degree murder." Document 2 confirms: "He was arrested Thursday, and deputies said he is facing a charge of first-degree murder."

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