On January 11, 2022, the death of a two-month-old infant boy was reported in La Harpe, Allen County, Kansas. Officers and EMS responded but the child died. The LaHarpe Police Department investigated, and an autopsy indicated the baby died from aggravated child endangerment. The child's mother, Rebecca Ann Dobbs, 27, of Gas, Kansas, was arrested on March 3, 2022, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment. In June 2023, the murder charge was amended to involuntary manslaughter, and Dobbs subsequently entered a nolo contendere plea to involuntary manslaughter, with the aggravated endangering charge dismissed as part of the plea deal.
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)
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Document 1 refers to Dobbs and "the death of her two-month-old infant," strongly implying Rebecca Dobbs is the biological mother of the child. She was charged and entered a plea deal for the infant's 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?
Document 2 states "Rebecca Ann Dobbs, 27, was arrested at a residence, 502 S Jefferson, in La Harpe on Thursday, March 3, 2022." Document 1 further states "In 2022, prosecutors charged Dobbs with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering of a child." She was both arrested and charged for the child's 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?
Notable Details
Document 1 reports that the autopsy report indicated the baby died from "aggravated child endangerment," which is a legal term rather than a standard medical cause of death, raising questions about the specificity of the autopsy findings as reported. Additionally, the charges were significantly reduced from first-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter, and Dobbs entered a nolo contendere plea — "accepting conviction as though she entered a guilty plea, but not admitting guilt" — which is a notable legal proceeding detail. The aggravated endangering of a child charge was also dismissed as part of this plea deal.
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