Hakiem Scott
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CANDID ID: IN_23_1646
AGE
5   years
STATE
Indiana
DATE OF DEATH
5/12/2023
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Five-year-old Hakiem Scott died from a perforating gunshot wound to the head on May 12, 2023, in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. On the day of the fatality, his parents took Hakiem and his 3-year-old sibling out to purchase cocaine. Upon returning home, the parents left both children sitting on the living room couch while they used cocaine in another room. The father had left a loaded handgun pushed into a couch cushion with the handle sticking up. The child accessed the firearm and shot himself, with his younger sibling standing nearby. The mother acknowledged she was aware the father frequently left the gun within the children's reach and had previously corrected the children about touching it. Both parents tested positive for cocaine. The father, 25-year-old Jahbar Scott, was arrested and charged with neglect causing 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?

All three documents describe a fatal firearm incident. The vital records document (INME_2023_HS.pdf) lists cause of death as "PERFORATING GUNSHOT WOUND OF HEAD" with ICD code W32 (handgun discharge). The DCS report states "A 5-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound." The news article reports the child "was found with a gunshot wound after police say he shot himself."

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The DCS report states that "the parents left the children sitting on the living room couch while they used cocaine in another room" and that the father "had left his gun pushed down into a couch cushion with the top of the gun's handle sticking up." The news article corroborates this, noting the father "placed his gun down in the side of the couch and left." The parents left the children unsupervised with a readily accessible loaded firearm while they used drugs in another room.

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

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?

The DCS report lists "Father" as one of the perpetrators and describes that the child "lived with his parents." The news article identifies the father as "25-year-old Jahbar Scott" who was arrested "for neglect causing death." The father left his loaded gun accessible in the couch cushion.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The DCS report lists "mother" as a perpetrator alongside the father. It states "The mother was aware the father often left the gun in reach of the children and stated she had previously had to correct the children about not touching the gun." Both parents went to buy cocaine and both used cocaine while leaving the children unsupervised.

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: "Police have arrested his father 25-year-old Jahbar Scott for neglect causing death."

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 DCS report states that "the parents could buy cocaine," "the parents…used cocaine in another room," and "the parents provided drug screens and tested positive for cocaine." The news article also confirms "Police also found cocaine inside the home."

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