A five-week-old infant was found unresponsive by his grandmother after being placed in a bed shared with the grandmother and three siblings. The grandmother had the children overnight to give their mother a break. The grandmother called 911 and began CPR, and the infant was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The infant had a twin sibling who had remained hospitalized after birth for bradycardia. The cause and manner of death were both ruled undetermined. DCFS indicated the grandmother for death by neglect. The family had an extensive DCFS history, including an intact family services case that closed as a voluntary withdrawal two months before the infant's birth, and three unfounded child protection investigations within one year of the child's death.
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)?
DCFS indicated the grandmother for "death by neglect (#51)" after the infant was found unresponsive in bed shared with the grandmother and three siblings. The grandmother's decision to co-sleep with the five-week-old infant and three other children implies inadequate supervisory care of the infant. Additionally, DCFS investigated "inadequate supervision (#74)" in the family's prior history regarding the 13-year-old sister.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states the infant's 13-year-old sister told reporters "her mother struck her with an extension cord." Additionally, the sister in April 2022 "stated her mother forced her to return home and hit her." These are mentions of inflicted injury on a child (sibling of the deceased infant).
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?
The fatality report states: "The grandmother reported the infant was in bed with her and the infant's three siblings." A five-week-old infant sharing a bed with an adult and three other children is an unsafe sleeping environment. DCFS subsequently "indicated the grandmother for death by neglect (#51)."
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?
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)
The fatality report states: "DCFS indicated the grandmother for death by neglect (#51)." The grandmother is an adult relative who was caring for the infant overnight and was found responsible for the infant's death by neglect.
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)?
The fatality report documents an extensive history of child protection reports. The reason for review states: "Closed intact family services case and three unfounded child protection investigations within one year of child's death." Specifically: (1) In July 2021, DCFS opened an intact family services case; (2) In October 2021, an investigation was unfounded for "substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by abuse (#10)"; (3) In January 2022, an investigation was unfounded for "inadequate supervision (#74)"; (4) In May 2022, an investigation was unfounded for "substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by abuse (#10)."
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?
The fatality report describes physical altercations between the mother and the 13-year-old sister. The sister reported that "her mother struck her with an extension cord" and "the sister responded by throwing objects at the mother." Additionally, "Police informed the CPI that the mother had a red face and swollen eye when they responded to the home." In April 2022, the sister again "stated her mother forced her to return home and hit her." These constitute domestic violence by the parent/caregiver.
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
The fatality report contains several notable systemic details. In January 2022, "the intact supervisor noted the mother had not yet initiated services," yet in July 2022 — just two months before the infant's birth — "the intact case closed as a voluntary withdrawal." This closure occurred despite the mother's non-compliance with services and a pattern of three unfounded child protection investigations involving physical altercations with the 13-year-old sister. Additionally, the infant had a twin sibling "who remained in the hospital following their birth for bradycardia," indicating the infant was part of a medically vulnerable multiple birth. The combination of case closure shortly before the infant's birth, prior service non-engagement, and the grandmother being indicated for death by neglect despite an undetermined cause of death raises significant questions about case management and oversight.
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