Six-week-old Demetrick Green III was brought to Arkansas Children's Hospital on March 10, 2023, with injuries consistent with trauma. Hospital staff determined the injuries were consistent with violent shaking, and the father, 30-year-old Demetrick Green Jr., was identified as having caused the injuries. He was initially charged with first-degree battery. The infant died on March 12, 2023, at 11:20 a.m., and the charge against the father was upgraded to capital murder. The Pulaski County Coroner transported the body to the State Crime Lab for autopsy. Green Jr. is being held without bond at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
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)
All three documents describe injuries caused by violent shaking. The official City of Little Rock press release states: "It was later determined the father, 30-year-old Demetrick Green Jr., caused injury to the child. An investigation ensued and subsequently, Mr. Green was charged with 1st Degree Battery. Per staff, injuries were consistent with violent shaking." The KARK news article similarly states: "Hospital officials said that the child's injuries were consistent with violent shaking."
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?
Multiple documents explicitly describe violent shaking consistent with shaken baby syndrome / abusive head trauma. The City of Little Rock press release states: "Per staff, injuries were consistent with violent shaking." The Arkansas Times article states: "The father, Demetrick Green Jr., was charged with battery for the violent shaking of his son." The KARK article states: "Hospital officials said that the child's injuries were consistent with violent shaking."
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?
All three documents identify Demetrick Green Jr. as the father who caused the child's injuries. The child is named Demetrick Green III, and the naming convention (Jr. to III) strongly indicates a biological father-son relationship. The City of Little Rock press release states: "It was later determined the father, 30-year-old Demetrick Green Jr., caused injury to the child... the charges have been upgraded to Capital Murder for Demetrick Green Jr."
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 father was charged with capital murder. The City of Little Rock press release states: "the charges have been upgraded to Capital Murder for Demetrick Green Jr., based off the findings of the Medical Examiner." The KARK article confirms: "Green was initially facing a first-degree battery charge, but it was upgraded to capital murder following the child's death. He is being held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility without 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?
Notable Details
The Arkansas Times article provides notable contextual detail about the father's living situation: "The police report showed that the father lived at the Big Country Chateau apartments. The complex has been in the news for several months for unsafe living conditions and court hearings. Tenants at the property also have expressed concerns about safety at the apartments. In 2022, at least three homicides were reported at the apartment." This detail about the housing environment and its documented history of violence and unsafe conditions may be relevant to systemic factors surrounding this child's death.
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