Nine-month-old Sy'kia Epps of Lexington, Kentucky, died from severe brain trauma after being assaulted by her father, 28-year-old Syied Malik-Kawon Epps, while her mother was at work. Three other children in the home witnessed the attack, with one stating that "Daddy smashed her on her head really hard and she was upside down." The child was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. The father initially fabricated a story that a babysitter was caring for the child, but security camera footage proved he was home during the incident and he later admitted to lying. During an argument with the mother prior to the assault, the father referred to the children as "roaches" and threatened to leave them on the porch. He was arrested and charged with assault and murder-domestic violence.
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)
Document 1 (WKYT) reports that children in the home stated "Mr. Epps had dropped their sister on her head" and one child articulated that "Daddy smashed her on her head really hard and she was upside down." Document 2 (LEX 18) states the child "was assaulted by her father." These clearly describe 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?
Document 1 (WKYT) states the child "died from suffering severe brain trauma" and a witness child said "Daddy smashed her on her head really hard and she was upside down." This describes abusive head trauma — the child sustained fatal brain injuries from the father deliberately striking or dropping her head.
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?
Both documents identify Syied Malik-Kawon Epps as the child's father. Document 1 (WKYT) states "The father of the child, Syied Malik-Kawon Epps, is facing a murder charge. His daughter, Sy'kia Epps died from suffering severe brain trauma." Document 2 (LEX 18) states "the child was assaulted by her father" and identifies the mother as Markettia Hampton, confirming Epps is the biological father.
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?
Document 2 (LEX 18) states: "28-year-old Syied Malik-Kawon Epps was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault and murder-domestic violence." Document 1 (WKYT) confirms the murder charge and that the case is heading to a grand jury.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Document 2 (LEX 18) states that Syied Malik-Kawon Epps was "charged with assault and murder-domestic violence," explicitly referencing domestic violence. Additionally, Document 1 (WKYT) describes an argument between Epps and the child's mother during which he verbally threatened the children, calling them "roaches" and saying "if she was one minute late from work, they would be waiting out on the porch."
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
Several notable details are present. Document 1 (WKYT) reports that the father initially lied to police, claiming the child was under the care of a babysitter named "Eric" and that he was not present during the incident. Detective Hogan testified that Epps "couldn't provide last name, phone number, anything other than a physical description." Security camera footage disproved this alibi and Epps later admitted those claims were false. Additionally, three other children in the home witnessed the assault and provided statements to police, with one child saying "Daddy smashed her on her head really hard and she was upside down." The father also referred to the children as "roaches" during an argument with the mother and threatened to leave them on the porch.
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