An infant born in July 2021 was reported missing in February 2022 at approximately 6 months of age. The infant's mother had been arrested for shoplifting and did not inform police that her children were home alone. Three days later, the infant's 5-year-old and 7-year-old siblings were found home alone after the 7-year-old called a relative to report they were cold and hungry; the relative could not find the infant. The mother initially denied the infant had ever existed, but police found baby items in the home and evidence that the mother had placed a crib and other items in a dumpster approximately 10 days earlier. The mother later admitted the infant had died. The infant's body was never recovered. The mother was charged with concealing a death and endangering the life of a child. Prior DCFS investigations had documented concerns about the mother's mental health and her physical abuse of the infant's older sibling.
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 states that the mother "had been arrested for shoplifting, refused to inform police where she lived, and did not inform police her children were home alone." Three days later, the 5-year-old and 7-year-old siblings were found home alone. Additionally, "DCFS investigated and indicated the mother for inadequate supervision and substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect."
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report describes inflicted injuries to the infant's 10-year-old sibling. The report states: "The 10‑year‑old sister was crying; had scratches on her nose, cheek, arms, and hands; and stated her mother hit her." DCFS later "indicated the mother for cuts, bruises, welts, abrasions, and oral injuries by abuse." While these injuries were inflicted on a sibling rather than the deceased infant, they are described as part of the case investigation.
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies the biological mother as the central figure in the infant's death. "The mother later made statements that the infant had died." She was "charged with concealing a death and endangering the life of a child." DCFS indicated the mother for inadequate supervision and substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect.
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 fatality report documents multiple prior child protection reports. In May 2021, a relative reported police responded to a motel for a well-being check involving the infant's 10-year-old sister. In July 2021, DCFS received a report about the mother's behavior when the infant was born. "In October 2021, DCFS unfounded the July 2021 investigation for substantial risk of physical injury/environment injurious to health and welfare by neglect. The previous investigation remained pending in February 2022 at the time the infant was reported missing."
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 fatality report states: "The mother was charged with concealing a death and endangering the life of a child." These charges are directly related to the infant'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?
The fatality report describes the family living in a motel in May 2021, when the mother was seven months pregnant with the infant: "a relative reported that police had responded to a motel to conduct a well‑being check on the infant's then 10‑year‑old sister." While this occurred before the infant's birth (July 2021) and the exact location of the death is unknown (the infant's body was never found), the family's living in a motel indicates housing instability. It cannot be confirmed from the text that the death itself occurred in a temporary shelter.
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report contains multiple references to the mother's mental health. A reporter "added concerns about mother's mental health." A police officer "relayed concerns about the mother's mental state, because the mother appeared confused, suspicious, and uncooperative." Additionally, when the infant was born, "hospital staff were concerned that the mother was exhibiting odd behavior, appeared hostile and paranoid."
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states that "The infant's mother had been arrested for shoplifting" prior to the infant being reported missing. The shoplifting arrest is a criminal incident separate from the infant's death. The infant had apparently already died before the arrest, making the shoplifting arrest a prior and separate criminal matter.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details not covered by preceding questions: (1) The infant's body has never been located: "The infant's body has not been located." (2) The mother initially denied the child's existence: "The mother initially told police the infant had never existed." (3) Police found evidence the mother had disposed of baby items: "police found baby items in the home and received information the mother had placed a crib and other items in a dumpster approximately 10 days earlier." (4) The CPI was unable to locate the mother after the July 2021 hospital report: "The CPI was subsequently unable to locate the mother." (5) A prior DCFS investigation remained pending for approximately 9 months and was still open when the infant was reported missing. (6) The full OIG investigation was still pending at the time of this report.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.