On August 7, 2022, 4-year-old Kendall Lewis was found dead in the backseat of a car on I-85 north at North Druid Hills Road in DeKalb County, Georgia, from a gunshot wound to the chest, head, and neck. Investigators determined the child found a pistol in the backseat and accidentally shot herself. The manner of death was ruled an accident. Her mother, 26-year-old Kaelin Lewis, was arrested and charged with cruelty to children in the second degree.
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 ME report (GA_22_1347.pdf) lists the immediate cause of death as "Gunshot Wound to Chest, Head, and Neck" with "COD/Circumstances type: Gun – Pistol" and "Description of how the injury occurred: Shot herself." The news article corroborates: "Investigators say it appears the child found a gun in the backseat and fired it, hitting herself."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states "Investigators say it appears the child found a gun in the backseat and fired it, hitting herself," and that the mother, Kaelin Lewis, was charged with "cruelty to children in the second degree." A 4-year-old having unsupervised access to a loaded firearm in the backseat of a car strongly implies inappropriate supervision, and the criminal charge against the mother supports this inference.
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article identifies the mother as "26-year-old Kaelin Lewis" and states she "is now at the DeKalb County Jail facing a charge of cruelty to children in the second degree." The child was in the backseat of a car with an accessible loaded gun, and the mother was arrested for the resulting death, indicating her involvement through negligent supervision.
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 news article states: "Kendal's mother, identified as 26-year-old Kaelin Lewis, is now at the DeKalb County Jail facing a charge of cruelty to children in the second degree."
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?
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.