On March 5, 2022, 5-to-6-month-old Tahir Stanley was found unresponsive while in the care of Keriaon Smith, 19, a family friend who had been entrusted with the infant's care at a residence in the 1500 block of St. Louis Street in the Iberville neighborhood of New Orleans. The child had sustained numerous injuries and was not breathing; he was transported to a local hospital where he was declared dead. An autopsy performed by the Orleans Parish Coroner determined the cause of death was complications of blunt force injuries and the manner of death was homicide. Smith was initially arrested on a charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and was subsequently re-charged with second-degree murder after the autopsy results were finalized.
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)
The FOIA document states the cause of death was "Complication of blunt force injuries" and the manner was "Homicide." The fox8live article reports the child "had sustained 'numerous injuries'" and died of "blunt force injuries." The WDSU article similarly states "the baby had sustained numerous injuries and was not breathing." A homicide ruling with blunt force injuries to a 5-month-old infant constitutes inflicted 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?
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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The fox8live article states that Keriaon Smith was "A 'family friend' entrusted with the care of a 6-month-old boy." The WDSU article states "the infant was found unresponsive while in the care of Smith." Smith was functioning as a babysitter at the time of the incident, having been entrusted with the infant's care, and was subsequently charged with second-degree murder.
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
The fox8live article identifies the perpetrator as "A 'family friend' entrusted with the care of a 6-month-old boy," specifically naming Keriaon Smith, 19, who was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Smith is female (referred to as "she" and "her" in the article). As a female friend of the family who was directly involved in the child's death, this qualifies as a female friend involved in the death.
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 fox8live article states "Keriaon Smith, 19, was arrested Saturday (March 5)" and "she was rebooked Tuesday with second-degree murder after the Orleans Parish Coroner's office determined through an autopsy that the child's death was a homicide." The WDSU article similarly reports that Smith was arrested and "detectives re-charged Smith with second-degree murder."
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?
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.