A seventeen-year-old medically complex, nonverbal child with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cytomegalovirus had a seizure while at the home of his mother's former paramour. The former paramour called 911, and the teen was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death was complications of haemophilus influenza pneumonia and acute bacterial cystitis with prostatitis; the medical examiner noted the child's bladder was infected at autopsy. After the death, concerns emerged that the teen had been having unreported seizures and his anti-seizure medication had not been refilled for months. DCFS indicated the former paramour for death by neglect and medical neglect and indicated the mother for medical neglect. Approximately six months prior to his death, a DCFS investigation for bruising observed on the child by school staff had been unfounded.
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)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report explicitly states: "DCFS investigated the teen's death and indicated the former paramour for death by neglect and medical neglect and indicated the mother for medical neglect." Additionally, it notes that "his anti-seizure medication had not been refilled for months" and that "the teen had been having seizures that were not reported."
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 fatality report states: "DCFS investigated the teen's death and indicated... the mother for medical neglect." The mother was found responsible for medical neglect contributing to the circumstances of the child's 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)?
The fatality report identifies the mother's former paramour as male ("he was no longer in a relationship with the mother, he regularly cared for the children") and states that "DCFS investigated the teen's death and indicated the former paramour for death by neglect and medical neglect." The child was at this male paramour's home when he had a fatal seizure.
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 fatality report states the teen "was nonverbal and had multiple physical and cognitive disabilities." He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which can involve neurological/developmental impairment, and he was explicitly described as nonverbal.
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
The fatality report describes the child as a "medically complex child" with "multiple physical and cognitive disabilities." His diagnoses included cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cytomegalovirus. Cerebral palsy is a physical disability affecting motor function.
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 a prior DCFS investigation: "In October 2021, DCFS received a report that the teen had been observed with bruises." This investigation was unfounded in December 2021, predating the child's death in June 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?
Notable Details
The fatality report notes several systemic concerns not fully captured by other questions. The child was regularly cared for by the mother's former paramour despite the relationship having ended, creating an unusual caregiving arrangement. A prior DCFS investigation in October 2021 for bruising on this nonverbal, multiply-disabled child was unfounded, and the child died approximately six months later—raising questions about whether the unfounded finding represented a missed intervention opportunity. Additionally, the report notes that a "Full investigation pending" was the action taken, indicating the OIG's own review was still ongoing at the time of publication.
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