Zayden Chavez, a 6-month-old boy, was taken by ambulance on October 28, 2022 from an apartment in the 700 block of Dempster Street in Mount Prospect, Illinois to Lurie Children's Hospital with injuries consistent with physical abuse. He remained hospitalized until he died on December 29, 2022. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide resulting from complications of multiple injuries due to child abuse. His father, 25-year-old Adrian Chavez of Waukegan, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and held without bond. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services stated it had prior contact with the family.
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 Fox 32 article states the baby had "serious injuries that were consistent with being physically abused" and that "Adrian Chavez physically abused his infant son." The Medical Examiner lists the primary cause as "COMPLICATIONS FROM MULTIPLE INJURIES. CHILD ABUSE."
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 NBC article reports the child died "just over two months after he was attacked by his father," and the Fox 32 article states "25-year-old Adrian Chavez physically abused his infant son." He was charged with first-degree murder of his son.
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)?
The ABC7 article states: "The Department of Child and Family Service said the agency did have prior contact with the child's family."
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 Fox 32 article states Adrian Chavez "was arrested and charged" and "was charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond at the Cook County Jail." The NBC article corroborates he "was arrested on Monday" and is "charged with first-degree murder."
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
A notable systemic detail is that child welfare authorities had prior involvement with the family: the ABC7 article reports "The Department of Child and Family Service said the agency did have prior contact with the child's family." This suggests a potential child-protection oversight issue preceding the fatal abuse.
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