Kelcye Kraykovich
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CANDID ID: AZ_22_79
AGE
9   years
STATE
Arizona
DATE OF DEATH
3/22/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On March 22, 2022, nine-year-old Kelcye Kraykovich was found deceased at her family's apartment at Lakeside Casitas in Tucson, Arizona. An autopsy determined her cause of death was anemia from an untreated lice infestation, with malnutrition as a contributing factor; she also had fluid buildup in her lungs, liver necrosis, and iron deficiency. Her mother, Sandra Kraykovich (38), and maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Kraykovich (64), knew the child had been severely ill for approximately two weeks — exhibiting vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, and balance issues — but failed to seek medical care, reportedly because they feared the child's extreme lice infestation would be discovered at the hospital. Text messages between the two women and Sandra's boyfriend documented their awareness of the child's worsening condition. First responders found an enormous amount of lice in the child's hair, with bugs covering her face. Both Sandra and Elizabeth were arrested and subsequently indicted on multiple counts of child abuse and one count of first-degree murder each. The child's two siblings, ages 11 and 13, who also suffered from severe lice infestations, were removed from the home and placed with relatives.
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)

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

The NY Post article reports the autopsy determined the child died of "anemia from untreated lice infestation with malnutrition as a contributing factor," as stated by Pima County Medical Examiner Dr. Gregory Hess. Malnutrition is explicitly named as a contributing cause of death.

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Multiple sources document clear medical neglect. The KGUN9 article states "Both women face child abuse charges after failing to get medical care for a 9-year-old who was desperately ill" and that "both the mother and grandmother knew the child was ill for about two weeks before the child died and that the child had difficulty walking, breathing and had been vomiting." The NY Post article reports Sandra admitted "she realized that if she had gotten her daughter medical care, she would still be alive – adding that she should have gotten help, but didn't because of the lice infestation." The autopsy found the cause of death was "anemia from untreated lice infestation with malnutrition as a contributing factor."

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?

The fatality report states "the mother, Sandra Kraykovich and maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Kraykovich, were each indicted on multiple counts of child abuse and one count of first-degree murder." The NY Post article further details how Sandra knew her daughter was ill but failed to seek medical care, admitting "she realized that if she had gotten her daughter medical care, she would still be alive."

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)

The fatality report states "the mother, Sandra Kraykovich and maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Kraykovich, were each indicted on multiple counts of child abuse and one count of first-degree murder." The NY Post article describes Elizabeth as the grandmother who "is retired and cared for the kids when Sandra was at work" and who messaged Sandra that the girl "can't go to the ER with her hair." The KGUN9 article reports Elizabeth was "afraid to take the child for emergency care because of the lice in the child's hair."

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 fatality report states: "On June 2, 2022, the mother, Sandra Kraykovich and maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Kraykovich, were each indicted on multiple counts of child abuse and one count of first-degree murder." The KGUN9 article also reports both women were arrested and booked into Pima County Jail.

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

Several notable details emerge from the text. First, the primary reason the caregivers did not seek medical care was fear of the severe lice infestation being discovered — the NY Post article reports Elizabeth messaged Sandra that the girl "can't go to the ER with her hair," and Sandra told investigators she "should have gotten help, but didn't because of the lice infestation." Second, text messages documented the caregivers' real-time awareness of the child's deteriorating condition, including Sandra texting her boyfriend: "OMG babe. Listen I'm in my room and my mom was called me. (Name redacted) was asking if I could check on her to make sure she isn't dying." Third, the KGUN9 article notes "the family had recently moved to Tucson and was facing eviction," providing additional context about the family's circumstances. Fourth, one sibling told investigators the mother "had tried to treat the lice using mouthwash" rather than seeking proper medical treatment.

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