On January 7, 2024, emergency responders were dispatched to a residence on Admiral Nelson Drive in the Kingspoint area near Slidell, Louisiana, for an unresponsive 2-year-old girl. The child and her 1-year-old brother were transported to a local hospital, where the 1-year-old was treated and released but the 2-year-old was pronounced deceased upon arrival. The children had been in the care of a relative, Christopher Mikhail Baker, 31, and drug paraphernalia containing residue was found in the home. Autopsy and toxicology results determined the cause of death to be acute combined cocaine and fentanyl intoxication, with the manner of death officially ruled undetermined. Baker was arrested and subsequently indicted by a grand jury on charges including second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to juveniles, possession of fentanyl and cocaine, and illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of fentanyl.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The FOIA document states the cause of death was "Acute combined Cocaine and fentanyl intoxication." The news article from an17.com confirms: "toxicology test show a 2-year-old girl who died while in his care had both fentanyl and cocaine in her system," and "fentanyl and cocaine exposure contributed to the child's death."
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 an17.com article states that "paraphernalia containing drug residue was found in the home" where the 2-year-old and her 1-year-old brother were in the caregiver's care. The child died from acute combined cocaine and fentanyl intoxication, indicating that dangerous drugs were accessible to the children. This implies a failure of appropriate 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?
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)
The an17.com article states: "The children were in the care of a relative, Christopher Baker, 31, at the time of the incident." Baker is identified as a relative but not as a parent, making him another adult relative involved in the death.
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 an17.com article states: "Baker has been booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on one count each of Second-Degree Murder, Possession of Schedule 1 CDS (fentanyl) and Possession of Schedule 1 CDS (cocaine)." The wwltv.com article confirms he was also indicted by a grand jury for "second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to juveniles, possession of fentanyl and cocaine, and illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of fentanyl."
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 an17.com article states that "paraphernalia containing drug residue was found in the home." Baker, the caregiver, was charged with "Possession of Schedule 1 CDS (fentanyl) and Possession of Schedule 1 CDS (cocaine)." The wwltv.com article also notes indictment for "possession of fentanyl and cocaine." This demonstrates substance use by the caregiver.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the source text. First, there is a discrepancy between the official manner of death ("Undetermined" per the FOIA document) and the criminal charges (second-degree murder). Second, the child's 1-year-old brother was also affected: the an17.com article states "The child and her 1-year-old brother were both transported by emergency medical personnel to a local hospital. The 1-year-old was treated and released." This indicates both children were exposed to the drugs. Third, the grand jury indictment (wwltv.com) added charges beyond the initial arrest, including "second-degree cruelty to juveniles" and "illegal carrying of weapons while in possession of fentanyl," suggesting a weapon was also present in the home where the children were being cared for.
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