A five-month-old infant was found unresponsive face down on a sofa by her mother, where she had been sleeping with her 17-year-old brother. The brother reported feeding the infant around 11:00pm and going to sleep around 1:00am. The infant was transported to the hospital by ambulance and pronounced deceased. The cause of death was determined to be sudden unexpected infant death syndrome, with the manner of death ruled undetermined. The family had an open DCFS intact family services case at the time of death, stemming from a February 2022 investigation after the infant tested positive for cocaine and THC at birth. The mother had relapsed in May 2022, and the maternal grandmother had moved into the home under hospice care approximately two weeks before the death, passing away just two days before the infant died. Despite having a bassinet and pack-and-play in the home, the infant was placed on a sofa for sleep. DCFS indicated the mother for substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect in the death investigation.
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?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report describes the infant being asleep on a sofa with her 17-year-old brother, who fed the infant around 11:00pm and went to sleep around 1:00am. The mother found the infant unresponsive, suggesting she was not directly supervising the infant's sleep arrangement. The DCFS indication of the mother for "substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)" implies inadequate oversight of the infant's sleeping conditions.
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)?
The fatality report states: "In February 2022, DCFS received a report that the infant tested positive for cocaine and THC at birth." The mother also tested positive for cocaine and THC during pregnancy. Hospital staff noted the infant did not show signs of withdrawal.
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?
The fatality report states: "Five-month-old was found unresponsive face down on a sofa by her mother, where the infant had been asleep with her 17-year-old brother." Co-sleeping on a sofa is a recognized unsafe sleeping environment for an infant. DCFS indicated the mother for "substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)" in the death investigation.
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 fatality report states that DCFS "indicated the mother for substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect (#60)" in the death investigation. The mother was the one who found the infant unresponsive on the sofa and was found responsible for the unsafe environment.
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 fatality report states: "the infant had been asleep with her 17-year-old brother" on a sofa where she was found face down and unresponsive. The brother stated he "fed the infant around 11:00pm and he went to sleep around 1:00am." While the brother was not charged or indicated, he was directly involved in the circumstances of the infant's death by co-sleeping with her on the sofa.
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)?
The fatality report describes a DCFS report in February 2022 regarding the infant testing positive for cocaine and THC at birth, which was investigated and resulted in an indicated finding for substance misuse by abuse (#15). The family was also referred for intact family services. This child protection history predated the child's death in July 2022.
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?
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?
The fatality report extensively documents the mother's substance use: "Hospital staff reported the mother tested positive for cocaine and THC in November 2021, and for THC in December 2021 and January 2022." The mother also admitted marijuana use the day before the infant's birth, had enrolled in substance use treatment twice, and "In May 2022, the mother relapsed." The intact worker recommended substance use treatment for the mother.
Notable Details
The fatality report describes significant contextual factors surrounding the infant's death. Approximately two weeks before the death, the maternal grandmother moved into the home under hospice care. Two days before the infant's death, the maternal grandmother died. The mother had relapsed on substances in May 2022, approximately two months prior to the death. Additionally, the family had a bassinet and pack-and-play available but the infant was found on a sofa, suggesting the unsafe sleep environment occurred despite safer alternatives. The intact family services case remained open, and the intact worker had visited just three days before and noted no concerns for health or safety.
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