On December 24, 2022, 4-year-old Matias Stricker Abreu was hiking with his father, Jacob Stricker, on the BREC Frenchtown Conservation Area trails near Central, Louisiana. Around 2:40 p.m., Jacob called 911 reporting that his son had wandered away and he could not find him. Multiple agencies responded, and after nearly an hour of searching, a firefighter found the boy in the Amite River, where the water temperature was estimated at approximately 10 degrees. Officials worked on the child for approximately 45 minutes before transporting him to a hospital; he was eventually transferred to Children's Hospital, where he died shortly before Christmas Day. The child's mother, Isabel Stricker, had a protective order against Jacob due to a documented history of domestic abuse and had been seeking full custody of Matias, with a court date scheduled for January 5, 2023. Multiple sources described the death as suspicious, and the investigation by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office remained ongoing with no charges filed at the time of reporting.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The child was found submerged in the Amite River. The WAFB article states: "the boy was found in the Amite River" and "A fireman went into the water to rescue the child." The Unfiltered article corroborates: "A firefighter spotted the little boy in the Amite River nearly an hour after the initial 911 call. The firefighter pulled the boy to the embankment." While the official cause of death is pending, the child was recovered from freezing water and this constitutes a drowning incident.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The WAFB article states: "Authorities said the child wandered off and got lost during a hike with his father." The Unfiltered article states Jacob Stricker "called 911 around 2:40 p.m. saying his son had gone missing." The child wandered away from his father's supervision and ended up in the river.
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)?
The child was found in freezing water outdoors. The WAFB article quotes Chief Corcoran: "we know that water is probably 10 degrees, he did his job as a first responder." The incident occurred outdoors on trails near the BREC Frenchtown Conservation Area during winter conditions.
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 child was in the sole care of his biological father, Jacob Stricker, at the time of the incident. The WAFB article states: "the child wandered off and got lost during a hike with his father." The Unfiltered article further states the death is considered suspicious: "Multiple sources have said Matias' death is suspicious." The mother also reported that the father had previously threatened to hurt her in the worst way possible: "He told her he was going to do something to her that would hurt her the most."
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?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Unfiltered article extensively documents the father Jacob Stricker's history of domestic violence against the mother Isabel. On April 13, 2020, "Jacob allegedly slapped Isabel in the face" and "he was found guilty of domestic abuse battery." Isabel described being "a victim of domestic abuse, physical, emotional and mental abuse." A protective order was issued, and Jacob violated it the same day it was issued.
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?
The Unfiltered article documents that Jacob Stricker was found guilty of domestic abuse battery against Isabel, a conviction that predates the child's death. Additionally, a warrant was issued for his arrest for violating the protective order the same day it was issued, which also predates the child's death. The article states: "Jacob was given a summons for domestic abuse battery" in 2020, "They had a trial and he was found guilty of domestic abuse battery" in July 2021, and "a warrant was issued for Jacob's arrest for violating the protective order" the same date.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details materially affect the understanding of this case. First, the mother had a protective order against the father that was active through August 2023, and she "feared for her and her son's lives." Second, the father had a documented pattern of defying court orders — he violated the protective order the same day it was issued, even after being explicitly warned by a deputy. Third, the mother had a custody hearing scheduled for January 5, 2023, just 12 days after the child's death, where she was "attempting full custody of her son." Fourth, "Multiple sources have said Matias' death is suspicious," yet "no one is facing any charges" at the time of reporting. The mother's translator reported the father's threats: "He told her he was going to do something to her that would hurt her the most. He would say, 'I'm going to hit you where it hurts the most' every time he would get mad." These details, combined with the pending custody determination and the suspicious nature of the death, suggest systemic failures in protecting the child despite clear warning signs.
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