Ava Brock was born via cesarean section on August 20, 2022, and was immediately transferred to the NICU at UF Health Shands Hospital, where she died seven days later on August 27, 2022. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be complications of prematurity due to placental abruption, with maternal chronic tobacco and drug abuse as contributing conditions. The mother admitted to daily use of illegal substances during pregnancy, including methamphetamines (two to three times daily), cocaine (two to three times weekly), and marijuana, with her last methamphetamine use occurring in August prior to birth via rectal injection. Her only prenatal care was received while incarcerated between May and June 2022. The law enforcement investigation was closed with no criminal charges, and the department verified findings of death and substance-exposed newborn.
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?
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)?
The fatality report extensively documents prenatal substance exposure. It states the mother "admitted to using illegal substances while pregnant daily" including methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana. The department "closed the investigation with verified findings of death and substance exposed newborn." The Medical Examiner listed "Maternal chronic tobacco and drug abuse" as a contributing condition to the cause of death.
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 makes clear that the biological mother's chronic drug use during pregnancy was a contributing factor in the child's death. The Medical Examiner listed "Maternal chronic tobacco and drug abuse" as contributing conditions. The mother admitted to using methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana throughout pregnancy, and her last methamphetamine use was in August, prior to the infant's birth.
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?
The fatality report states the Medical Examiner's Cause of Death as "Complications of prematurity due to placental abruption." Prematurity is explicitly identified as the primary cause of death.
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?
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?
The fatality report states the mother was arrested prior to the child's death: "her arrest in May 2022 for possession of meth with the intent to sell/deliver/manufacture." The child was born in August 2022, so this arrest predates the child's birth and death and is separate from the fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report extensively documents the mother's substance use: "The mother admitted to using illegal substances while pregnant daily until her arrest in May 2022 for possession of meth with the intent to sell/deliver/manufacture. She was using methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs." The report also details her methods and frequency of use, including smoking methamphetamines two to three times daily and cocaine two to three times weekly.
Notable Details
The fatality report contains several notable details: (1) Despite the mother admitting her last methamphetamine use was in August prior to the infant's birth via a "hot shot" (methamphetamine drawn into a syringe and shot into the rectum), her drug screen at the time of birth was negative for substances. (2) After the infant's death, the mother "claimed she was not using illegal substances but would not make herself available to complete a urinalysis" and "claimed to be completing a substance misuse program but would not sign a release of information to confirm her participation." (3) Despite the Medical Examiner listing maternal chronic tobacco and drug abuse as a contributing condition and the department verifying findings of death and substance exposed newborn, the law enforcement investigation was closed with no criminal charges following consultation with the State Attorney's Office.
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