unnamed child
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CANDID ID: IL_22_2098
AGE
1   year
STATE
Illinois
DATE OF DEATH
3/1/2022
MEDIA
Not Available
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
A 20-month-old medically complex boy, born extremely premature at fewer than 24 weeks gestation, was found unresponsive at home and pronounced deceased at the hospital. The cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to complications of cerebral palsy with a significant contributing condition of COVID-19 viral infection. The child had spent his first eight months in the NICU and had been diagnosed with several lung and heart conditions requiring a feeding tube. Prior to his death, DCFS had received a report that the child had missed several medical follow-up appointments despite outreach efforts, and the investigation was later indicated for medical neglect. Emergency responders reported the home was dirty and that the child had a bed but showed no indication of sleeping in it. DCFS also indicated the death investigation for death by neglect. The family had a history of DCFS involvement, including an intact family services case opened after the child was born substance exposed, which was closed unsuccessfully due to the mother's non-cooperation.
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)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report describes an April 2021 incident: "DCFS received a report that the mother hit the toddler's then 16‑year‑old sister on her head, and the 15‑year‑old and 18‑year‑old siblings had scratches from the mother's paramour. The three siblings were transported to the hospital for treatment."

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

The fatality report states: "DCFS received a report that the toddler had missed several appointments despite efforts to contact the mother to coordinate care and address potential barriers." It further states: "DCFS later indicated the investigation for 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 2020, DCFS opened an intact family services case after the toddler was born substance exposed."

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: "Emergency responders reported the home was dirty, and the toddler had a bed but there was no indication he slept in it." This implies the child was sleeping somewhere other than the provided bed, suggesting a potentially unsafe sleeping arrangement.

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 documents the mother's central role in the neglect leading to the child's death. DCFS indicated the investigation for "death by neglect" and separately "indicated the investigation for medical neglect." The mother was responsible for missed medical appointments for the medically complex child, and the mother "acknowledged she missed some appointments."

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)

The cause of death includes "complications of cerebral palsy," which is a neurological condition that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. The fatality report lists this as the underlying cause of the cardiopulmonary arrest that led to death.

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

The fatality report states the toddler "had been diagnosed with several lung and heart conditions and required a feeding tube." The cause of death also references "complications of cerebral palsy."

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

The fatality report states: "The toddler had been born premature, at fewer than 24 weeks gestation, and spent the first eight months of his life in the NICU."

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report describes multiple prior DCFS interactions including: an intact family services case opened in 2020 after the child was born substance exposed; a March 2021 investigation regarding hospital discharge concerns (unfounded); an April 2021 investigation regarding the mother hitting the 16-year-old sibling and the paramour scratching siblings (unfounded); and a February 2022 investigation about missed medical appointments.

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 an April 2021 incident: "the mother hit the toddler's then 16‑year‑old sister on her head, and the 15‑year‑old and 18‑year‑old siblings had scratches from the mother's paramour. The three siblings were transported to the hospital for treatment." The 16-year-old also reported "her mother was intoxicated and hit her 15‑year‑old brother." This constitutes family violence by a 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?

The fatality report documents multiple references to parental substance use: the child was "born substance exposed"; "The CPI administered a toxicology screening to the mother, who tested positive for cocaine and marijuana"; and the mother "was in a substance use treatment program at that time and was compliant with her treatment." Additionally, the 16-year-old "reported her mother was intoxicated" during the April 2021 incident.

Notable Details

The fatality report documents several notable systemic issues: (1) The intact family services case was being closed "unsuccessfully" due to the mother's non-cooperation, yet the child remained in her care; (2) The mother "rescinded all authorizations for [hospital staff] to communicate with the family's intact worker," severing coordination between medical providers and child welfare; (3) Despite the mother testing positive for cocaine and marijuana, and hospital staff initially expressing concern that "the family could not provide the level of care the toddler would need," the investigation was unfounded for substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious; (4) One day before the hospital discharge, staff reversed their concerns after the mother completed training; (5) The CPI saw the child the day before his death and "noted the infant was a healthy weight," yet the child died the following day; (6) The report notes the investigation into the child's death is still a "Full investigation pending" at the time of the report's publication.

Lives Cut Short