On July 9, 2022, five-month-old Harper Dieterle drowned in a bathtub at her home in Brevard County, Florida. Her mother, Robin Janney, was bathing the infant when she received a phone call and left the child unattended for approximately three minutes. Upon returning, the mother found the infant unresponsive in the water and called 911 at 9:14 p.m. Dispatch attempted to provide CPR instructions but the mother was unable to comply due to her emotional state. Law enforcement arrived at 9:15 p.m. and performed CPR until EMS transported the child to Rockledge Regional Medical Center at 9:20 p.m. Harper was pronounced deceased at 10:25 p.m. A responding officer observed the bathtub filled with water up to about an inch from the top. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office investigated, and charges were filed with the State Attorney's Office.
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 fatality report explicitly states: "the 5-month-old infant passed away after suffering a drowning incident in the bathtub." The child was found unresponsive in the water after being left unattended.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report states: "The mother left the infant unattended for approximately three minutes and when she came back the mother found the infant unresponsive in the water." The mother stepped away from bathing a 5-month-old infant to take a phone call, leaving the child alone in the bathtub, which constitutes inappropriate supervision.
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?
The fatality report clearly identifies the biological mother, Robin Janney (29 years old), as the person who was bathing the infant and then "left the infant unattended for approximately three minutes" to take a phone call, resulting in the drowning. Additionally, "Charges have been filed with the State Attorney's Office."
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 fatality report states: "Charges have been filed with the State Attorney's Office." This indicates that charges related to the child's death were filed, though the specific individual charged is not named. Given the mother was the sole caretaker at the time of the incident, charges would logically pertain to her.
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 fatality report contains a notable physical evidence detail: a BCSO officer "observed the bathtub filled with water up to about an inch from the top," which represents a dangerously high water level for bathing a 5-month-old infant. Additionally, when officers arrived, "the mother was frantically running around looking for her cell phone," which provides behavioral context about the mother's state and priorities upon law enforcement's arrival. These details supplement the supervision and drowning aspects and are relevant to understanding the severity of the negligent conditions.
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