Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The fatality report states that CPS concluded the death investigation with findings including "improper supervision of [the child] by [the mother]" and "failure to protect" by the mother. The mother left her children in the care of Hawkins—a man with an extensive violent criminal history—as their sole caretaker. Additionally, during the October 2021 investigation, the agreed-upon safety plan was violated when the child was left in Hawkins' care instead of the designated relative caretaker, and "CPS did not follow up on the noncompliance with the safety plan."

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states the child's October 2021 injuries (perforated bowel, bruised liver) were "the result of non-accidental trauma" and that the child's death in March 2022 was "as the result of child abuse." The CBS Detroit article states "Medical examiners determined that the child died from blunt-force trauma to the head, which was not consistent with Hawkins' statement that the child fell." The child's statement "does this mean you're going to hit me?" further indicates inflicted injury. Dr. Mohr stated the "injuries were possible if [the child]'s head was slammed on the side of the tub."

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

The fatality report states that had CPS conducted a background review of Hawkins, they would have found he has a "Prior history with CPS in which he was substantiated for medical neglect of his biological child." This is an explicit mention of medical neglect occurring, though it pertains to Hawkins' other biological child rather than Jaice directly.

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The fatality report documents that the child suffered a "posterior skull fracture (acute), and a 4-millimeter subdural hematoma (brain bleed)" and that hospital staff indicated the injuries "appeared to be the result of blunt force trauma to the head." Dr. Mohr stated the injury "could not have occurred simply by falling on the tub, but the injuries were possible if [the child]'s head was slammed on the side of the tub." The medical examiner determined the child died from blunt-force trauma to the head. This constitutes abusive head trauma.

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

While no single passage explicitly labels the child's treatment as torture or prolonged cruel treatment, the totality of evidence describes a pattern of severe, repeated abuse over approximately five months by the same perpetrator: perforated bowel and bruised liver in October 2021, broken arm in November 2021 (while in Hawkins' care), 4-5 old healing rib fractures and an old humeral fracture discovered at time of death, and ultimately fatal blunt force trauma to the head. The child's statement overheard by hospital staff—"does this mean you're going to hit me?"—further implies an established pattern of being struck. The force involved (described as sufficient to "push the intestine to the spine") and the repeated nature of the injuries over months extend beyond typical isolated physical abuse incidents.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report states that CPS concluded the investigation with findings of "failure to protect and improper supervision of [the child] by [the mother]." The mother left her children in the sole care of Hawkins while she was at work, and she "started having [Hawkins] watch the children more after [the child]'s bowel injury (October 2021 CPS investigation) as she believed those injuries happened at her mother's home." She was found responsible for failure to protect and improper supervision, and CPS filed a petition for the removal and termination of parental rights.

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The fatality report explicitly identifies the mother's boyfriend, Deangelo Hawkins, as the person who caused the child's death: "[the child] died in March 2022 as the result of child abuse. [Hawkins] was found to be the abuser who caused [the child]'s death." Multiple news articles confirm Hawkins was "the boyfriend of the child's mother" and was convicted of first-degree felony murder and first-degree child abuse.

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report documents extensive prior CPS history. In October 2021, roughly five months before the child's death, there was a CPS investigation into the child's near-fatal bowel perforation and liver injury, which was closed with a Category IV finding (no abuse). Prior to that, "In October of 2021 [the mother] was investigated by CPS for physical abuse of [the child]. That investigation resulted in a Category IV." Additionally, Hawkins had prior CPS substantiation for medical neglect of his own biological child.

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The fatality report states "Court records show [Hawkins] was arrested for homicide-felony murder and one count of felony child abuse in the 1st degree." The clickondetroit article states "Wixom police arrested the boyfriend of the child's mother for suspicion of child abuse" and the CBS Detroit article confirms he was "charged with first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse" and was found guilty. The mlive article confirms he was "sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole."

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report documents that Hawkins' criminal history included "Misdemeanor Domestic Violence and/or Knowingly Assaulting a Pregnant Individual (2019)." Additionally, the report states Hawkins "was extremely violent" during his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, and "she was the victim in a criminal case of domestic violence and sexual assault in Wayne County." He was also "arrested on December 4, 2019, and incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail due to the domestic and sexual assault" of his ex. News articles corroborate, listing prior charges including "domestic violence."

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report details Hawkins' extensive prior criminal history: "Felony Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (2019), Felony Criminal Sexual Conduct (2019) Felony Unlawful Imprisonment (2019), Felony Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder by Strangulation (2019), Misdemeanor Domestic Violence and/or Knowingly Assaulting a Pregnant Individual (2019) and Felony Torture (2019)." He was arrested in December 2019 and was on circuit court probation after pleading guilty to feloniously assaulting his ex. The clickondetroit news article confirms: "Hawkins has been previously charged with criminal sexual conduct, domestic violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, adult kidnapping and more. The man was reportedly out on a personal bond as of March 5."

The fatality report documents extensive systemic failures that materially affected this case. The CPS investigation in October 2021 failed to identify Hawkins as a household member and did not conduct a criminal background check on him, which would have revealed his extensive violent criminal history including felony torture, assault, and criminal sexual conduct. The required law enforcement notification (LEN) was submitted 10 days late (instead of within the legally mandated 24 hours), and was sent by fax, with no confirmation it was ever received by DPD. CPS misrepresented Dr. Norat's medical opinion by using his hypothetical examples of force (bike handlebar, car accident) as the actual cause of injury, when Dr. Norat explicitly stated concerns for non-accidental trauma. A critical statement by the child—"does this mean you're going to hit me?"—was documented by hospital staff but may never have been relayed to CPS. Furthermore, Hawkins was released from jail during COVID-19 on a $5,000 personal bond despite the prosecutor's objection. The OCO also identified a gap in MCL 722.638: Hawkins retains parental rights to his other biological children because the law does not contemplate termination of parental rights for biological children of the abuser who are not related to the victim child.