Four-month-old Willow Kubai, called 'Strawberry,' died on February 25, 2024, three days after suffering abusive head trauma on February 22 while in the sole care of her father, Jacob Kubai, as her mother worked. The father gave an account of playing video games, going to Walmart, and feeding the baby before finding her unresponsive, but Walmart surveillance showed him there without the baby, and investigators concluded he beat her before the store trip. An autopsy revealed a skull fracture, multiple forehead bruises, 10 rib fractures, spinal hemorrhage, and multiple layers of brain bleed; Sheriff Judd said 'the baby was literally beaten to death.' Cause of death was head trauma and the manner was ruled homicide. The father was arrested, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
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)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The lawandcrime article states investigators believe "she suffered the broken ribs when Kubai squeezed her. Kubai also hit Willow in the forehead 10 times and used a hard object to strike her in the back of the head" and "The baby was literally beaten to death." The fatality report documents bruises, scratches, rib fractures, brain bleed, and skull fracture.
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?
The fatality report states the infant "passed away after suffering apparent abusive head trauma on February 22, 2024" and cause of death was "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 Jacob Kubai as "Father" and states the infant was "left in the father's care," with "Verified Findings of Death... with the father as the caregiver responsible." He was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
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 "the father was arrested and charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, Aggravated Child Abuse, and two counts of Knowingly Abuse Child." The lawandcrime article reports he "was sentenced to 30 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child."
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
Several notable details emerged: Walmart surveillance contradicted the father's account, as Judd said "When detectives reviewed the security cameras at Walmart, they saw he was there without the baby," leading investigators to conclude "he beat Willow before leaving for the grocery store." The autopsy revealed "10 rib fractures that were in the healing stage" (fox8), indicating prior abuse. The father "did not call 911, but instead drove the child to Bartow Regional Medical Center" (fatality report). He also made statements that "none of this is real... My baby's not real" and "showed zero remorse." He ultimately "was sentenced to 30 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child" (lawandcrime).
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