On February 4, 2022, police were called to a home in El Mirage, Arizona, where they found 16-year-old Charisse Foster, her 9-year-old sister Charlotte Foster, and their father Steven Foster dead inside. The investigation determined that Steven Foster, a single father, shot and killed both of his daughters before turning the gun on himself in a murder-suicide. The children's mother, who was not living in the home, later indicated that Steven had a history of mental illness that she believed led to the tragedy. The Department of Child Safety had no active involvement with the family at the time, though a prior neglect report from 2015 had been investigated and unsubstantiated.
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?
The fatality report states: "the father, Steven Foster, shot and killed the two children." The news article corroborates: "Steve Foster had reportedly shot his daughters then turned the gun on himself." This is clearly 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 fatality report states: "The investigation determined the father, Steven Foster, shot and killed the two children, Charlotte and Charisse Foster." The child was shot, which constitutes an 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?
The fatality report states: "the father, Steven Foster, shot and killed the two children, Charlotte and Charisse Foster, before committing suicide." The news article headline also identifies this as an "alleged murder-suicide."
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?
The fatality report identifies "the father, Steven Foster" as the person who "shot and killed the two children." The news article also describes him as their father and "a single dad." A prior DCS report referenced "the mother and father," confirming the parental relationship. He is identified as the biological father of both children.
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)?
The fatality report states: "On May 11, 2015, a report was received alleging neglect to the children by the mother and father. The children were assessed as safe with the parents and the allegations were unsubstantiated." This is a prior child protection report involving this child and her sibling.
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?
The news article states that a neighbor relayed the mother's account: "She wanted the public to know that he wasn't a bad man... He suffered from mental illness, and unfortunately, at the time when everything occurred, that's what made sense to him. She just wishes he had gotten the help he needed." The neighbor also said the mother "indicated that Steve had a history of mental illness, which led to this tragedy."
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
A notable detail not addressed by prior questions is that Charisse's sibling, Charlotte Foster (age 9), was also killed in the same incident by the father before he committed suicide. Additionally, the fatality report notes that the Department conducted a joint investigation with the El Mirage Police Department and that multidisciplinary team (MDT) reviews of fatality and near fatality cases with prior DCS involvement were implemented as part of the DCS Strategic Plan. The father was described in the news article as a single father, meaning the children's mother was not living in the home at the time of the incident.
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