On October 17, 2022, two-year-old Justus Hyman drowned in a swimming pool at a family friend's house on the 3400 block of Merrimac Avenue in Augusta, Georgia. His mother, Domonique Murray, was visiting with two of her children when Justus attempted to go outside and was told to stay inside. When the adults were not looking, the toddler went outside undetected and was found in the pool. He was transported to Augusta University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Murray was initially charged with child cruelty in the second degree, and nearly a year later, a Richmond County grand jury indicted her on murder in the second degree, despite the GBI classifying the manner of death as accidental.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The GBI fatality report lists the Cause of Death as "Drowning." The news article corroborates this, stating the child "drowned" after "falling into a family friend's pool."
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states: "The report says when they weren't looking, the toddler went outside without them knowing, and they found him in the pool." The child was told to stay inside but went outside unsupervised and drowned. The mother was initially charged with child cruelty in the second degree and later indicted on murder in the second degree, indicating inadequate supervision was central to the circumstances.
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 states the mother, Domonique Murray, was present at the time of the incident: "She was over at a family friend's house on Merrimac Avenue with two of her children when they couldn't find Justus." She was charged with child cruelty in the second degree and later indicted on murder in the second degree.
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: "His mom, Domonique Murray, 37, was charged with child cruelty in the second degree. Now, she facing murder charges." She was also "booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on Thursday" with a "grand jury arrest warrant" listed as her charge.
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
There is a notable discrepancy between the official GBI fatality report, which lists the Manner of Death as "Accidental," and the subsequent legal proceedings. The news article reports that "Richmond County grand jury has indicted the mother of a 2-year-old who drowned in 2022 on murder in the second degree," nearly a year after the drowning. Additionally, the article notes that "An initial report from deputies called the case accidental" and that the I-TEAM "found no criminal background for Murray." The escalation from an accidental determination and a child cruelty charge to a second-degree murder indictment is a notable legal development.
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