On March 17, 2023, 13-month-old Nova'Lynn Barsh died from inhalation of products of combustion after a house fire in Pensacola, Florida. The mother, Nina Bucci, had left the three youngest children (ages 13 months, 23 months, and 3 years) unsupervised in an apartment while she went to the adjacent grandmother's home to make cinnamon rolls, as the apartment lacked a kitchen. Approximately nine to ten minutes later, the 9-year-old half-sibling discovered the apartment was on fire. The Fire Marshall determined the fire was caused by the 3-year-old sibling playing with a lighter on the couch, a behavior the mother knew about from past incidents. The mother attempted to re-enter the apartment but was unable to due to heat and smoke. A neighbor and firefighters assisted in rescue efforts; the two older children survived with burn injuries, but Nova'Lynn was the last child pulled from the home and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Drug paraphernalia and methamphetamines were found in the residence, and surviving siblings tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines via hair follicle testing. No criminal charges were filed.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states: "A hair follicle test was completed on the surviving 23-month-old sibling and the 3-year-old sibling which was positive for cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines." While the mechanism of exposure (ingestion vs. environmental contact) is not specified, positive drug tests in children of this age indicate some form of drug exposure that may include ingestion.
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: "the mother left the three youngest children in the apartment to go into the grandmother's home to make cinnamon rolls for the children as the apartment did not have a kitchen." The three youngest children (ages 13 months, 23 months, and 3 years) were left unsupervised for nine to ten minutes. The CPS investigation verified "Inadequate Supervision" by the mother. Furthermore, "the 3-year-old had been known to play with lighters in the past," yet the children were left unsupervised with accessible lighters.
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 states: "In 2022, the now deceased child and the mother were involved in an investigation for concerns related to substance exposed newborn. There were concerns noted that the mother tested positive for amphetamines several times during her pregnancy." The report further notes the child "was born early at 34 weeks gestation and was in the neonatal intensive care unit due to respiratory issues." The investigation was "closed with verified findings of substance exposed newborn."
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 states the CPS investigation verified findings of "Death" and "Inadequate Supervision" against the biological mother, Nina Bucci. She left the three youngest children (ages 13 months, 23 months, and 3 years) unsupervised in the apartment while she went to the grandmother's home to make cinnamon rolls, despite knowing the 3-year-old had a history of playing with lighters.
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?
The fatality report states: "Following the Fire Marshall's investigation, it was determined that the apartment fire was caused by the 3-year-old playing with a lighter on the couch." The 3-year-old was a sibling of the deceased child as identified in the family composition chart.
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 infant was born early at 34 weeks gestation and was in the neonatal intensive care unit due to respiratory issues." Birth at 34 weeks is premature (before 37 weeks).
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The fatality report states: "In 2022, the now deceased child and the mother were involved in an investigation for concerns related to substance exposed newborn." This prior investigation was "closed with verified findings of substance exposed newborn." This predates the March 2023 fatal incident.
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?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report contains extensive references to parental substance use. Drug paraphernalia was found in the residence including "glass smoking pipes with methamphetamine residue, a small glass container with suspected methamphetamine residue, methamphetamines, a butane container, lighters." The mother "later admitted to methamphetamine use in order to keep up with the young children." The mother also stated "the father uses methamphetamines." A CPS finding for "Substance Misuse-Illicit Drugs" was investigated though "Not Substantiated." The mother also refused a urinalysis after the fire.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the fatality report that were not fully addressed by the preceding questions. First, the fatality report states that "the mother, as well as the 9-year-old half-sibling, did advise that the 3-year-old had been known to play with lighters in the past," yet lighters remained accessible in the home and the children were left unsupervised. Second, the apartment "did not have a kitchen," requiring the mother to leave the apartment to cook, creating a structural living arrangement that contributed to the children being left alone. Third, despite verified CPS findings of death due to inadequate supervision and the discovery of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamines in the home, along with positive hair follicle tests for cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines in the surviving children, no criminal charges were filed. Fourth, the prior 2022 substance-exposed newborn investigation was closed after the mother was determined to be "working with community services" and the children were "ultimately determined to be safe," representing a potential systemic failure in ongoing monitoring of a high-risk household.
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