Zury Cruz-Sumba, a 4-month-old girl, died on February 17, 2023, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, after being fatally injured while in the care of her babysitter, Norma Chagnama, 29, in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. On February 16, Zury's mother dropped her off at Chagnama's unlicensed home daycare and went to work. During the afternoon, after noticing Zury had vomited, Chagnama forcefully picked up the baby without supporting her head, swung her onto her shoulder, and then threw her onto the bed. The baby became unresponsive. Paramedics transported Zury to Swedish Hospital, where a CT scan revealed a large subdural hematoma and a history of prior injuries. She was transferred to Lutheran General Hospital and taken off life support early on February 17. An autopsy determined she died of multiple injuries from child abuse, including subdural hematoma, spinal cord injuries, severe brain swelling, and retinal hemorrhaging. Her death was ruled a homicide. Chagnama was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; bond was denied. DCFS had prior contact with the family — the baby had been briefly removed from her parents' custody in January after they left her in a car outside a restaurant/bar, and had been returned approximately one week before her 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)?
The CBS article notes that "Zury's parents were both arrested in January on a misdemeanor child endangerment charge after they left Zury in the car outside a restaurant/bar while they were inside." Additionally, the babysitter Chagnama was running an unlicensed daycare, caring for multiple children (her own two children plus two other boys) alongside Zury, which constitutes an inappropriate and unlicensed supervisory arrangement.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The CBS article describes in detail how Chagnama "forcefully picked up Zury from the bed with her hands under the baby's buttocks — but not supporting the baby's head," "forcefully swung Zury onto her shoulder," and then "throwing her onto the bed." The medical examiner report lists the primary cause as "MULTIPLE INJURIES. CHILD ABUSE." These describe inflicted injuries upon the child.
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?
Although the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the CBS article describes the classic triad of findings associated with abusive head trauma: a "5 mm subdural hematoma on Zury's brain — which is very large," "hemorrhaging around both her optic nerves, and blotchy spots in her eyes suggesting retinal hemorrhaging," and "severe brain swelling." The described mechanism — forceful handling without head support and being thrown — is consistent with the forces that cause abusive head trauma in infants. Zury also had "significant injuries all along her spinal cord," further consistent with shaking/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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The CBS article states that "Norma Chagnama, 29, is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of the baby, Zury Cruz-Sumba. Prosecutors also says she was running an illegal daycare." The article further describes how "Chagnama had been babysitting Zury since late November or early December" and that she was also watching her own children and two other boys at the time of the incident.
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: "A spokesman for the Department of Children and Family Services said the agency had prior contact with the family." The CBS article provides further detail: "Zury's parents were both arrested in January on a misdemeanor child endangerment charge after they left Zury in the car outside a restaurant/bar while they were inside. Police were called, and Zury was taken to Swedish hospital." The child was "briefly taken away by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services" before being returned.
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
The CBS article states that after the January car incident, "she was briefly taken away by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, she had been returned to her parents about a week before she died." This indicates Zury was temporarily in DCFS custody but was not in foster care at the time of the fatal 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 ABC7 article states: "Norma Chagnama, 29, was arrested Saturday." The CBS article states: "Norma Chagnama, 29, is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of the baby, Zury Cruz-Sumba." Bond was denied.
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?
The CBS article states: "Zury's parents were both arrested in January on a misdemeanor child endangerment charge after they left Zury in the car outside a restaurant/bar while they were inside." This January arrest of the parents predates and is separate from the February fatal incident caused by the babysitter. The parents are caregivers of the child with criminal history prior to the death.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the text. First, the CBS article reports that "Prosecutors also learned that Chagnama did not have a daycare license at her home," indicating she was running an illegal, unlicensed daycare. Second, a CT scan at Swedish Hospital "showed a history of injuries that did not match the most recent one Zury was presented with," suggesting prior undetected abuse. Third, DCFS had prior contact with the family and had briefly removed Zury after the January car incident, returning her "about a week before she died." This sequence raises questions about the DCFS decision to return the child and whether adequate safety planning was in place. Fourth, the babysitting arrangement was entirely informal — set up because "Chagnama's husband...knew Zury's father" — and involved an unlicensed provider caring for multiple children simultaneously.
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