Kylee Burnett, an 18-month-old girl from Gary, Indiana, died on September 14, 2022, at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago from injuries consistent with shaken-baby syndrome. On the evening of September 9, 2022, her father, Casey Lee Marqui Burnett, 22, was left caring for the child and other children while the mother went to work. Burnett reportedly smoked marijuana and gave the children melatonin to help them sleep. When the mother returned home early at midnight on September 10, she found the baby face-down in a pillow with blankets completely covering her in her crib, unresponsive. The child was taken to Methodist Hospital in Gary and then transferred to Comer Children's Hospital, where doctors found severe hypoxic brain injury, extensive retinal hemorrhages, and lacerations to the liver and spleen. Burnett was charged with murder, Level 1 felony aggravated battery, and Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death. He denied causing the injuries, claiming they may have resulted from his attempts at CPR.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The Chicago Tribune article states that Burnett "gave her and the other children in his care melatonin about 11 p.m. to help them sleep." While melatonin is an over-the-counter supplement, it was administered to the 18-month-old child, constituting child drug ingestion.
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 Chicago Tribune article states Burnett and a relative "chilled" by smoking marijuana while responsible for multiple children, administered melatonin to help the children sleep, and Burnett went downstairs while the children were upstairs. These details collectively suggest impaired and inappropriate supervision of young children.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The Chicago Tribune article describes this as a "beating death" and documents that the child suffered "severe hypoxic injury and herniation to the brain, extensive retinal hemorrhages and lacerations to the liver and spleen." These injuries—particularly lacerations to the liver and spleen combined with shaken-baby syndrome findings—are consistent with inflicted physical injury.
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?
Both documents explicitly state: "A probable cause affidavit says his daughter, Kylee Burnett, died as a result of injuries consistent with shaken-baby syndrome."
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The Chicago Tribune article states the mother "went to the victim's bedroom and found her lying face-down in a pillow with blankets completely covering her in her crib." Burnett also told police he "put his daughter down on her stomach and covered her halfway with a blanket." Placing an 18-month-old face-down and covering her with blankets are indicators 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 Chicago Tribune article identifies Casey Lee Marqui Burnett as having been "charged with murder" in "the beating death of his 18-month-old daughter." The child is identified as "his daughter, Kylee Burnett," confirming he is the biological father who was charged with causing her death.
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)?
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 Chicago Tribune article states: "Casey Lee Marqui Burnett, 22, has been charged with murder, Level 1 felony aggravated battery and Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death." He was charged on September 15 and is "in the Lake County Jail without bond."
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 Chicago Tribune article states that Burnett told police "after he and a relative 'chilled' by smoking a joint, he gave her and the other children in his care melatonin about 11 p.m. to help them sleep." Smoking a joint (marijuana) while responsible for the children constitutes substance use by a caregiver.
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