Six-month-old Ja-Lonnie Small died on August 4, 2022, from multiple organ system failure following a near-drowning incident on July 30, 2022. According to police, the infant was left unattended in a filled bathtub for more than five minutes by her mother, Shaquila Feaster, 31, of Lithonia, Georgia. The child's manner of death was ruled a homicide by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office. Feaster was arrested at a funeral home in Decatur and charged with second-degree murder. She was held without bond.
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 medical examiner report (GA_22_633.pdf) lists the secondary cause of death as "Near Drowning," the COD/Circumstances type as "Asphyxia-Drowning," and the description of how the injury occurred as "Submersion in water." The news article further states that the baby "Drowns in Bathtub" and that the mother is "accused of drowning her seven-month-old daughter."
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 that "Ja'Lonnie was allegedly left alone in the tub for more than five minutes on July 30" and that police allege she "was left alone in a filled bathtub for five minutes." This describes a 6-month-old infant left unattended in a filled bathtub, which constitutes clearly inappropriate supervision.
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 person charged with second-degree murder as the child's mother: "Police in Georgia have filed a second-degree murder charge against a mother who stands accused of drowning her seven-month-old daughter." The mother is identified as Shaquila Feaster, 31, of Lithonia.
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 that "Shaquila Feaster, 31, of Lithonia, was arrested on Thursday at a funeral home in Decatur" and that "Police in Georgia have filed a second-degree murder charge" against her.
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
Two notable details emerge from the sources. First, the near-drowning incident occurred on July 30 but the child did not die until August 4, as indicated by the ME report listing "Multiple Organ System Failure" as the immediate cause and "Near Drowning" as the secondary cause—showing the child survived the initial submersion event for five days before succumbing. Second, the news article reports that the mother, Shaquila Feaster, "was arrested on Thursday at a funeral home in Decatur," and notes that "The child's funeral was held on Friday," with the article adding "It was unclear Monday if Feaster was arrested while at a service for Ja'Lonnie." This unusual arrest circumstance is notable.
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