A juvenile male drowned at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado on a Saturday afternoon (approximately September 30, 2023). The child was living with his grandparents, and his grandfather, 53-year-old Joseph Camacho, was watching him while his grandmother was out of town. Citizens at the scene attempted life-saving measures after the child was found unresponsive in the water, but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Camacho was arrested and charged with negligent child abuse leading to death and at-risk negligence leading to a death, both felonies. This was the second drowning death at Prospect Lake within approximately two months.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The news article explicitly describes a drowning incident: "officers responded to Memorial Park for a reported drowning. A juvenile male was located unresponsive in the water and citizens in the area performed life-saving measures. The child was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead."
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states that 53-year-old Joseph Camacho was charged with "negligent child abuse leading to death and at-risk negligence leading to a death." The child drowned while under Camacho's supervision. A fire department official emphasized: "They need constant adult supervision or caretaker supervision." The child was found "unresponsive in the water," indicating the child was unsupervised near water and drowned.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
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)
The news article identifies the person charged as the child's grandfather: "Camacho's wife confirmed with 13 Investigates that the child who died was their grandson. She said he was living with them and Camacho was watching him while she was out of town." Camacho was arrested and charged with negligent child abuse leading to death.
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)?
The news article states: "Camacho's wife confirmed with 13 Investigates that the child who died was their grandson. She said he was living with them and Camacho was watching him while she was out of town." This confirms the child was living with his grandparents, not his 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 news article states: "Officers then arrested 53-year-old Joseph Camacho and charged him with negligent child abuse leading to death and at-risk negligence leading to a death, both felonies." It further states: "He is being held in the El Paso County jail on a $25,000 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 news article notes: "This is the second drowning death at Prospect Lake in as many months, raising concerns about water safety." This indicates a pattern of drowning fatalities at the same location (Prospect Lake in Memorial Park, Colorado Springs) within a short time frame, suggesting a potential systemic water safety issue at this particular body of water that may warrant policy attention or safety interventions.
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