Devyn Alexander, a 13-day-old female infant, died on March 3, 2022, in Allen County, Indiana, from asphyxia due to overlay while co-sleeping with both of her parents, Antoniya Belcher and Devin Alexander, on an air mattress. When the mother woke up, the baby's lips were blue and she was cold to the touch. The manner of death was ruled an accident. The autopsy revealed the baby was dehydrated and had traces of barbiturates and cannabinoids in her system; she had also tested positive for marijuana at birth. A police walkthrough of the residence found five separate infant-appropriate sleep items (a bassinet, baby swing, bouncer-style chair, travel crib, and car seat) near the air mattress, none of which were used. Notably, the mother had taken the baby to her pediatrician just one day before the death, where she was counseled about safe sleep practices and not smoking marijuana around the baby. Both parents were charged with child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury; the father pleaded guilty to felony neglect of a dependent, while the mother's case proceeded toward trial.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The WANE article states that "the autopsy showed she was dehydrated at the time of her death along with having barbiturates and cannabinoids in her system." While cannabinoids may be attributable to prenatal marijuana exposure (the baby tested positive at birth), the presence of barbiturates in a 2-week-old infant raises the possibility of postnatal drug exposure beyond purely prenatal transfer, implying drug exposure in the child.
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)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The WANE article explicitly states: "the autopsy showed she was dehydrated at the time of her death along with having barbiturates and cannabinoids in her system."
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)?
The 21alive article states: "Belcher and Alexander were told that their baby tested positive for marijuana at birth." This is explicit evidence of prenatal substance exposure.
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 21alive article describes the baby sleeping on an air mattress with both parents. Detective Miller "noted he found five separate items a small infant could sleep on near the air mattress: a bassinet, a baby swing, a bouncer-style baby chair, a travel crib and a car seat." Additionally, "Belcher had been talked to about the importance of not smoking marijuana around the baby and safe sleep practices" at a pediatrician appointment the day before the death. The death was caused by "asphyxia due to overlay, meaning she was smothered due to an adult rolling over on her and blocking her airway." The official vital record (Document 1) lists the cause of death as "ASPHYXIA; OVERLAY; HISTORY OF SLEEPING WITH ADULT."
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The 21alive article identifies "22-year-old Devin Alexander" as "The girl's father" and notes he "was charged in the case last June." The WANE article confirms he was sleeping on the air mattress with the baby and mother when the baby died: "He was charged after his daughter was essentially smothered while she, her mother and Alexander all slept on an air mattress on March 3, 2022." He pleaded guilty to felony neglect of a dependent.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Antoniya Belcher is identified as the baby's mother in both news articles. The 21alive article states she "was charged with child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury last May in her daughter's March 2022 death." She was co-sleeping with the baby on the air mattress when the death occurred: "The parents told police all three of them were sleeping on an air mattress."
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?
Both parents were charged. The 21alive article states "Antoniya Belcher, 24, was charged with child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury" and "Devin Alexander, was charged in the case last June." The WANE article confirms "Alexander pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of neglect of a dependent" and "Antoniya Belcher, the baby's 25-year-old mother, faces the same neglect charge."
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 21alive article states that "Belcher had been talked to about the importance of not smoking marijuana around the baby," directly referencing the mother's marijuana use. Additionally, the baby "tested positive for marijuana at birth," indicating prenatal marijuana use by the mother.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the text. First, during the police walkthrough, Detective Miller found five separate safe sleep items near the air mattress (a bassinet, baby swing, bouncer-style baby chair, travel crib, and car seat), none of which were used. Second, the mother had been counseled by the baby's pediatrician about safe sleep practices just one day before the baby died: "Police found that Belcher took the baby to her pediatrician a day before she died... The child's health records showed that Belcher had been talked to about the importance of not smoking marijuana around the baby and safe sleep practices" (21alive article). Third, both parents evaded law enforcement for extended periods after being charged — the mother was on the run for nearly a year and the father skipped his sentencing hearing and was a fugitive for over a month. The father had already pleaded guilty but then "was out on bond until a sentencing hearing on Oct. 29 — a hearing he didn't show up to" (WANE article).
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