Four-year-old Phoenix Daniels died on June 30, 2023, at an Augusta hospital from a gunshot wound of the head, approximately one month after shooting herself on May 29, 2023, at her family's apartment on Sterlington Drive in Grovetown, Georgia. Her father, Daveon Daniels, a convicted felon, had placed a firearm that had been illegally converted to fully automatic on the floor near his daughter. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, second-degree cruelty to children, and possession of a machine gun. The manner of death was ruled 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)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The GBI record (GA_23_1652.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Gunshot wound of the head." The news article states the child died "after shooting herself last month with her father's gun."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states "the father had placed it on the floor near his daughter at their apartment on Sterlington Drive," referring to a gun that "had been converted to fully automatic." Placing a loaded, illegally modified firearm on the floor near a 4-year-old child constitutes 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?
The news article identifies "The father of the child, Daveon Daniels," who shares the surname with Phoenix Daniels, and states he "had placed it on the floor near his daughter at their apartment." The father's actions — placing a loaded, illegally modified firearm on the floor near his 4-year-old — directly led to the shooting. He was charged with second-degree cruelty to 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?
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 of the child, Daveon Daniels, was charged soon after the shooting with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, second-degree cruelty to children and possession of a machine gun." The second-degree cruelty to children charge directly relates to the incident that caused the child's death. The article also notes that the police department "hasn't disclosed whether those charges will now be upgraded" following the child's death.
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?
The news article states the father was charged with "possession of a firearm by a convicted felon," which explicitly indicates that Daveon Daniels had a prior felony conviction that predates the current fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article notes several substantive details: the firearm "had been converted to fully automatic," resulting in the father being charged with "possession of a machine gun" in addition to his other charges. Additionally, the father was a convicted felon in illegal possession of a firearm. The article also states the child survived for approximately one month after the shooting ("She'd been there fighting for her life since the May 29 shooting"), dying on June 30. The potential for upgrading charges was mentioned: "The Grovetown Police Department hasn't disclosed whether those charges will now be upgraded."
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