On July 14, 2022, a 1-year-old girl was found unresponsive by her mother, Kandice Charmaine Charles, in their home in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. The child was transferred to a local hospital and pronounced dead, with no visible signs of injury or trauma. An autopsy and toxicology performed the same day determined the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Investigators found that the mother abused drugs in the home, storing them above the bathroom sink or in her makeup bag. In January 2023, DCFS drug testing confirmed that Charles tested positive for fentanyl and other illegal narcotics. She was arrested on January 19, 2023, and booked on a charge of negligent homicide.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Both documents confirm the child died from a fentanyl overdose. The FOIA document (LA_22_293_FOIA.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Fentanyl Overdose." The news article states: "It was determined the cause of death was an overdose of fentanyl."
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)?
The news article states the mother "abused drugs in her home" and that "the drugs were kept above the bathroom sink or in her makeup bag." A 1-year-old toddler died of a fentanyl overdose in that home, implying the mother failed to adequately supervise or secure the environment to prevent the child's exposure to the drug. The negligent homicide charge further supports that the child's death resulted from inadequate care/supervision.
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?
The news article identifies the child's mother, Kandice Charmaine Charles, as the person responsible. She "abused drugs in her home" and was arrested and "booked on a charge of negligent homicide" for the death of her child.
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: "On January 19, 2023, she was transported to the St. Landry Parish Jail and booked on a charge of negligent homicide." Kandice Charmaine Charles was arrested for the death of her child.
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 news article explicitly states: "Investigators say the child's mother, Kandice Charmaine Charles, abused drugs in her home." Additionally, DCFS drug screening results "indicated that Charles tested positive for fentanyl as well as other illegal narcotics."
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.