Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states that "the child's biological mother admitted that she knew that the father had been shaking and being rough with the baby" and that doctors determined "the baby had been shaken, had internal bleeding on the brain, five healing rib fractures, retinal hemorrhaging, and detached retinas." The five healing rib fractures also indicate prior inflicted injuries.

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

The fatality report's summary of prior agency involvement states there were "some indicators of substance exposed child" in connection with the 2005 abuse report. This phrase suggests prenatal substance exposure, as a substance-exposed child finding is typically associated with in-utero exposure.

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The fatality report explicitly states "The doctors determined that the baby had been shaken" and later documents the child as having "shaken baby syndrome." The child's diagnosis included "cerebral palsy secondary to anoxic brain injury, shaken baby syndrome."

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report identifies Diana Smith as the "Biological Mother" and states she "admitted that she knew that the father had been shaking and being rough with the baby and she had failed to intervene." The prior report was closed with "verified findings of failure to protect, with Diana Smith as the caregiver responsible."

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The fatality report identifies David Stanley as the "Legal Father at the time of the incident in 2005" while Diana Smith is identified as the "Biological Mother." The deliberate distinction between "Legal Father" and "Biological Mother" implies David Stanley was not the child's biological father, placing him in a stepfather or male paramour role. He was the individual responsible for the abuse: "the father had been shaking and being rough with the baby."

Was the child adopted?

The fatality report's family composition chart lists Connie Mayes as "Adoptive Mother," confirming the child was adopted.

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

The fatality report states the child was diagnosed with "cerebral palsy secondary to anoxic brain injury" and "shaken baby syndrome." Cerebral palsy and anoxic brain injury are neurological conditions that commonly result in developmental disabilities. The severity of her injuries — including being a quadriplegic from infancy — strongly implies significant neurological developmental disability.

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

The fatality report states the child "was diagnosed with cerebral palsy secondary to anoxic brain injury, shaken baby syndrome, and she was a quadriplegic." Being a quadriplegic is a severe physical disability.

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report explicitly documents prior reports: "The child has the one prior abuse report from 2005 that was closed with verified findings for physical injury, beatings, internal injuries, bruises/welts, excessive corporal punishment, skull/brain/spinal injury, with David Stanley as the caregiver responsible." Additionally, "The child has one prior in 2009 that was closed with no indicators of environmental hazards."

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

The fatality report states that after the 2005 abuse, "The child was sheltered from the mother and father." The child was later adopted by Connie Mayes. The removal from the biological parents and subsequent adoption strongly implies the child was placed in foster care or a similar out-of-home placement before the adoption was finalized.

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The fatality report states that "On August 19, 2005, David Stanley was arrested and charged with Aggravated Child Abuse by Great Bodily Harm Permanent Disability (x2), False Imprisonment, and Neglect of a Child with Great Bodily Harm." He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. While the charges were filed in 2005 for the abuse that inflicted the injuries, those same injuries are the direct cause of Elizabeth Mayes' death in 2022 as reflected in the cause of death ("Complications of Multiple Injuries Battery") and manner of death (Homicide). The 2023 DCF investigation was also closed with "Verified Findings of Death and Physical Injury as to Elizabeth Mayes, with David Stanley as the caregiver responsible." No new criminal charges for the death are mentioned, but the original charges and conviction arose directly from the conduct that caused her death.

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report's summary of prior agency involvement notes "some indicators of substance exposed child" associated with the 2005 report. A substance-exposed child finding implies substance use by the parent/caregiver during pregnancy or while caring for the child.

The fatality report describes a significant 17-year gap between the initial abuse in August 2005 and the child's death on October 29, 2022. David Stanley was sentenced to 15 years in prison but was incarcerated only from November 24, 2008, until May 1, 2018 (approximately 9.5 years), and was on probation through April 30, 2028 — meaning he was free and on probation at the time the child died from the injuries he inflicted. The death was still ruled a homicide, and the DCF investigation in 2023 verified findings of Death with David Stanley as the responsible caregiver. This delayed-death homicide ruling, the perpetrator's release from prison prior to the victim's death, and the extended period the child lived with severe disabilities (cerebral palsy, quadriplegia) before succumbing to complications are notable systemic and legal details.