Josiah Ramirez, a 5-month-old infant, died on April 21, 2023, from non-accidental injuries inflicted by his mother, Haley Barclay, age 26. Barclay admitted to detectives that she shook the infant on April 12 and April 13, 2023. She initially told investigators the child had rolled off a bed on April 14 and hit his head against a wall. Medical professionals determined the infant had sustained a subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and a skull fracture, all believed to be non-accidental. Despite being lethargic and vomiting constantly from April 14 to 16, the child was not taken to the hospital until April 16, when he was brought to South Bay Hospital and then transferred to All Children's Hospital in Pinellas County. His prognosis was poor and he died on April 21. The Pinellas County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. Barclay was charged with First Degree Felony Murder while Engaged in Aggravated Child Abuse. A subsequent investigation revealed that the twin sibling also sustained severe upper body trauma while in Barclay's care, resulting in an additional aggravated child abuse charge. The family had three prior CPS investigations, including one just weeks before the fatal incident alleging the mother was diluting the infants' formula.
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)?
The fatality report lists "Inadequate Supervision" as a verified finding against the mother. The mother's initial account described stepping outside the home to rinse bottles, leaving the infant unsupervised on a bed, after which the infant allegedly "rolled off the bed."
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states the infant "sustained multiple non-accidental injuries while in the mother's care." The HCSO press release states that Haley Barclay "admitted to shaking the child on April 12 and April 13, 2023." Shaking constitutes inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The fatality report describes a prior investigation received on March 11, 2023, alleging "the mother was diluting the infants' formula due to not having enough." The mother admitted "she was initially giving the infants less formula than recommended (2 ½ scoops instead of 3)" and "the father confirmed that they were initially diluting the formula." This indicates the children were receiving inadequate nutrition.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report lists "Medical Neglect" as a verified finding against both the Mother and Father. The father observed the infant vomiting constantly from April 14 to 16 and the mother delayed seeking medical care despite the child showing signs of serious injury (lethargy, abnormal breathing).
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?
The HCSO press release explicitly states Barclay "admitted to shaking the child on April 12 and April 13, 2023" and was described as "shaking an infant." The fatality report notes the child sustained a subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and skull fracture — injuries consistent with 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 Victor Ramirez Ramirez as the father and lists verified findings against him including "Medical Neglect" (shared with the mother), "Substance Misuse – Alcohol," and "Threatened Harm." He observed the infant vomiting constantly from April 14 to 16 but did not ensure the child received timely medical care, contributing to the child's death through neglect.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Haley Barclay as the mother and lists verified findings against her for Death, Physical Injury, Internal Injuries, Bone Fracture, Inadequate Supervision, and Medical Neglect. The HCSO press release confirms she "admitted to shaking the child" and was charged with First Degree Felony Murder.
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 states: "There are three prior investigations involving the family, with the first occurring in March 2022, the second in August 2022, and the most recent in March 2023. The history reflects a pattern of allegations surrounding concerns for the mother's inability to meet the basic needs of her young children."
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 HCSO press release states: "Barclay was placed into custody for Aggravated Child Abuse and Aggravated Child Neglect on April 17, 2023." It further states she is "facing charges of First Degree Felony Murder while Engaged in Aggravated Child Abuse."
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 lists "Substance Misuse – Alcohol" as a verified finding against the father (Victor Ramirez Ramirez).
Notable Details
Several notable systemic issues emerge. First, the HCSO press release reveals that after the initial investigation into Josiah's death, "detectives discovered a second victim who sustained injuries while under the care of Haley Barclay" — the twin sibling was found to have "sustained severe upper body trauma," resulting in an additional charge of Aggravated Child Abuse. Second, there were three prior CPS investigations involving the family, including one received just five weeks before the fatal injuries (March 11, 2023), which alleged the mother was diluting the infants' formula. The first two investigations "closed with no findings of any maltreatments and service needs were declined in both cases." This pattern of prior reports followed by no intervention represents a potential systemic failure, as the family's history reflected "a pattern of allegations surrounding concerns for the mother's inability to meet the basic needs of her young children." Additionally, the mother's initial account to investigators (that the infant rolled off a bed on April 14) conflicted with her later admission to detectives that she shook the child on April 12 and April 13, indicating she initially provided a false explanation to delay or avoid accountability.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.