Chase Jewell Claycomb, a 6-month-old male from Fort Wayne, Indiana, died on February 21, 2022. His caregiver, Christie A. Ivins, reported putting him down for a nap and later finding him covered in a blanket and unresponsive. EMS responded and administered CPR, but Chase was declared deceased at Parkview Regional Medical Center. The child was found with blood, scabs, and abrasions around his private parts, an abrasion on his right temple, and blood in his diaper. Ivins attributed the injuries to diaper rash sensitivity and stated she had never sought medical care for the child's injuries. A search of the home revealed methamphetamine and marijuana, and Ivins tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC. She was charged with two felony counts of neglect of a dependent, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana. The official manner and cause of death were ruled undetermined.
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 news article describes the 7-month-old being found with "blood, scabs and abrasions around the child's private parts, as well as an abrasion on the right temple." While the text does not explicitly identify these as inflicted injuries, the presence of an abrasion on the right temple and significant genital injuries on a pre-mobile infant is suspicious for inflicted injury. However, the manner of death was officially undetermined and no abuse charges were filed, so this remains ambiguous.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article states that when asked about the blood and abrasions around the child's private parts, "Ivins said... she had never seen blood in the child's diaper." Further, "investigators claimed to find blood in the child's diaper at the scene, and were told by Ivins that she had never sought medical care for the child's injuries." Failing to seek medical care for visible injuries on a 7-month-old constitutes 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?
The news article states that "Ivins reported she had put the child down for a nap and later found the child covered in a blanket and unresponsive." A blanket covering a 7-month-old infant is generally considered an unsafe sleep practice per safe sleep guidelines, implying 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 news article quotes Ivins stating "her children were sensitive to diaper rash," identifying the children at the scene as hers. The obituary directs "Memorial donations in Chase's honor may be made to his Family c/o Christie Ivins," further linking Ivins as family. The child was in her care at the time of death, and she was charged with neglect of a dependent. Taken together, these strongly imply Christie Ivins was the biological mother, though no source explicitly states this relationship.
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)?
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 news article states: "Christie A. Ivins, 35, was charged with two felony counts of neglect of a dependent – one Level 5 and the other a Level 6" in connection with the death of the 7-month-old. The article's headline reads "Court docs: Woman charged with child neglect in death of 7-month-old."
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?
The news article states that "Ivins eventually admitted to police there was a firearm and 'meth' inside the safe, and police found 0.3 grams of methamphetamine and 0.7 grams of a leafy green substance containing THC." Additionally, "Ivins provided a drug test to the Department of Child Services, which showed she had methamphetamine, amphetamine and THC in her system." She was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Notable Details
The obituary states that "Memorial donations in Chase's honor may be made to his Family c/o Christie Ivins," directing financial donations to the very person who was subsequently charged with felony neglect in connection with his death. Additionally, the news article notes that "Investigators claimed Ivins had placed both children at the scene in a situation that endangered the lives or health of the two children," indicating that a second child was also present and at risk in the home, a detail not captured by the preceding questions.
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