On April 8, 2022, 6-year-old D'Vontae Patterson was fatally shot at a home in Stone Mountain, Georgia, after he and his 8-year-old brother found a loaded long gun on the floor of a bedroom. The 8-year-old brother accidentally shot D'Vontae, striking him in the head and neck. The father and uncle, who were elsewhere in the home, heard the shot and rushed the boy to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The father, 29-year-old D'Onte Patterson, was charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children for leaving the firearm accessible. Seven children and four adults lived in the home.
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?
The medical examiner report lists the immediate cause of death as "Gunshot Wound to Head and Neck" with COD/Circumstances type of "Gun – Not Specified." The news article further specifies that "Patterson told detectives the two children found the loaded long gun on the floor of the bedroom" and that the boy was "accidentally shot by his 8-year-old brother."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states "Patterson told detectives the two children found the loaded long gun on the floor of the bedroom," indicating that a loaded firearm was left accessible to children. The father was charged with "murder in the second degree and cruelty to children" for failing to secure the weapon. This constitutes inappropriate supervision — the children had unsupervised access to a loaded firearm.
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 news article identifies "The father, 29-year-old D'Onte Patterson" as having been "charged with murder in the second degree and cruelty to children." The child's surname (Patterson) matches the father's surname, and the article explicitly refers to him as "the father" rather than stepfather. He left a loaded long gun accessible to the children.
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?
The news article states the child "was accidentally shot by his 8-year-old brother on the second floor of the house." The subheadline also reads "Boy was shot by 8-year-old brother."
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 news article states "The father, 29-year-old D'Onte Patterson, has been charged with murder in the second degree and cruelty to children."
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 news article provides notable details about the household environment: "Seven children and 4 adults live in the home." Additionally, the father told detectives that "the two children found the loaded long gun on the floor of the bedroom," indicating a loaded firearm was left unsecured and accessible on the floor in a home with seven children. The father was charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children for this failure to secure the weapon, rather than for directly harming the child.
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