Brad Thorne, Jr.
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CANDID ID: FL_22_859
AGE
9   years
STATE
Florida
DATE OF DEATH
6/23/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On June 23, 2022, 9-year-old Brad Thorne, Jr. was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his Pasco County, Florida home by his father, Brad Thorne. The parents had left the child home alone earlier that morning while they went to sell scrap metal. After returning, the father took the mother to work and spent time with his son. The child went to the bathroom and was found not breathing after an extended period. The father performed CPR and called 911, but the child was pronounced dead at HCA Florida Trinity Hospital. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as fentanyl toxicity and the manner as an accident. The home was found to be in deplorable conditions with animal feces on the floor, dirty dishes, and drug paraphernalia — including cut straws and a baggie with trace amounts of fentanyl — accessible to the child in the bathroom. DNA testing revealed both the father's and the child's DNA on the fentanyl-contaminated straws. The father was subsequently arrested in March 2023 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The fatality report states: "The cause of death is listed as Fentanyl Toxicity and the manner of death as an accident." The news article further describes that "his 9-year-old child died after taking fentanyl that was left out in his home" and that tests showed "trace amounts of fentanyl" on straws found in the bathroom, with "both Thorne's and the child's DNA on the straws." This constitutes clear evidence of child drug ingestion/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)?

The fatality report states that "the parents went to sell scrap metal on the morning of June 23, 2022, leaving the child at home playing video games." The news article corroborates this, stating Thorne "had left his son home alone earlier in the day while running errands." Additionally, the news article states "The child was able to easily reach the drugs," indicating that dangerous substances including fentanyl were accessible to the child due to inadequate supervision. Cut straws and a baggie with fentanyl residue were found in the bathroom where the child was discovered unresponsive.

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?

The fatality report identifies Brad Thorne (32 years) as the child's "Father." The news article states "A Pasco County father faces a manslaughter charge after his 9-year-old child died after taking fentanyl that was left out in his home." The father was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. Drug paraphernalia with fentanyl residue was found throughout the home, and both the father's and child's DNA were found on the straws. The father was the responsible caregiver at the time of death.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report identifies Stephanie Davis (31 years) as the child's "Mother" and states she was part of the household: "the household consisted of the child and his parents." Both parents left the child at home alone that morning: "the parents went to sell scrap metal on the morning of June 23, 2022, leaving the child at home playing video games." The mother shared the home where drug paraphernalia and fentanyl were accessible to the child, contributing to the neglectful environment. However, only the father was charged, and the mother was at work when the child died.

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)?

The fatality report contains an OCR-garbled section at the bottom that appears to include a section headed by what decodes to "Summary of Prior Agency Involvement with Family." The amount of text present in this section is substantial — far more than a simple "none" response would produce — with what appear to be multiple entries containing dates and details. However, the OCR corruption prevents reading the specifics of this prior involvement.

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: "Thorne was arrested on March 9 and faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond." The article also notes: "In an arraignment hearing Monday afternoon, Thorne entered a plea of not guilty."

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?

The fatality report states: "A 'glass bulb styled pipe,' which appeared to be used for smoking marijuana was found in the kitchen" and "drug paraphernalia was found in the bathroom and the garage." The news article reports that "Thorne told deputies he smokes marijuana but does not do other drugs." Additionally, deputies found "cut straws and a 'small baggie consistent with drug use'" in the bathroom, and "a bong with marijuana in it" in the garage. Tests on the straws and baggie showed "trace amounts of fentanyl," and both the father's and child's DNA were on the straws.

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge from the source texts. The news article states that "Tests also showed both Thorne's and the child's DNA on the straws," indicating the 9-year-old had direct contact with drug paraphernalia containing fentanyl residue. The fatality report notes that "The family would not allow the Child Protective Investigator to gain access to the home," obstructing the investigation. The news article also reports that "Stephanie Pawuk, a public defender appointed to represent Thorne, filed a motion Monday to withdraw from the case, citing 'ethical conflicts,'" which is an unusual legal development. Additionally, "an injured duck was observed in the family's living room" per the fatality report, contributing to the overall picture of a dangerously neglected home environment.

Lives Cut Short