On August 18, 2023, 30-year-old Mercedes Ferguson of Wilmington, Delaware, called 911 around 1:30 a.m. requesting help for her 4-year-old son. First responders arrived and tended to the boy, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. An autopsy conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death a homicide through starvation. Ferguson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder by abuse or neglect, taken into custody at a home in New Castle, and held at the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $1 million cash bail.
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 news article explicitly states: "An autopsy was conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science which ruled the death was homicide through starvation." Starvation is directly named as the cause of death.
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?
The news article identifies the person charged as the child's biological mother: "they charged 30-year-old Mercedes Ferguson, of Wilmington, with first-degree murder by abuse or neglect" and refers to her as "Delaware mother" throughout.
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 news article states: "they charged 30-year-old Mercedes Ferguson, of Wilmington, with first-degree murder by abuse or neglect." It also notes she was "taken into custody Monday at a home in New Castle" and "arraigned and sent to the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution after failing to pay a $1 million cash bail."
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?
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