Seven-year-old Sevyn M. Ashworth, a nonverbal child diagnosed with autism, accidentally shot himself in the head with an unsecured handgun at approximately 12:20 a.m. on October 31, 2022, at Bavarian Village Apartments in Bridgeport Township, Michigan. The handgun belonged to T-Keeyha M. Lane, a 28-year-old friend of Sevyn's mother who lived in the apartment; Lane was not inside the apartment but was on the property at the time. The child's mother believed the gun had been left on a kitchen counter. Sevyn was transported to Covenant HealthCare before being transferred to the University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he died on November 2, 2022. Lane, who did not legally own the firearm and had outstanding warrants for drug delivery charges, was charged with second-degree child abuse, a 10-year felony.
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?
Both documents describe the child accidentally shooting himself with an unsecured handgun. Document 1 states: "a child having suffered a gunshot wound to his head" and "the boy shot himself with her unsecured handgun." Document 2 confirms: "Sevyn M. Ashworth who died Nov. 2, days after accidentally shooting himself with an unattended gun."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The circumstances strongly suggest inappropriate supervision. Document 1 states: "Prosecutors allege Lane was not in the apartment but on the property when the boy shot himself with her unsecured handgun." Document 2 adds that Sevyn "had been diagnosed with autism and was nonverbal" and the mother believes "the handgun had been on a kitchen counter when her son grabbed it." The incident occurred at 12:20 a.m. with a 7-year-old nonverbal autistic child having unsupervised access to an unsecured handgun. Lane was charged with second-degree child abuse in connection with leaving the gun accessible.
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)?
Document 2 describes T-Keeyha M. Lane as "a friend of Ashworth's who is not related to Sevyn." Document 1 states Lane "is not related to the child but lived at the apartment with him and his mother." Lane's unsecured handgun was the weapon the child used to shoot himself, and Lane was charged with second-degree child abuse. Lane is a female friend of the child's mother who was directly involved in the circumstances leading to the child's 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)
Document 2 explicitly states: "Sevyn had been diagnosed with autism and was nonverbal." This is a neurological developmental disability clearly attributed to the child.
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?
Document 1 states: "28-year-old T-Keeyha M. Lane was arraigned in Saginaw County District Court on a charge of second-degree child abuse in connection with the shooting." Document 2 confirms: "Lane on Nov. 1 was arraigned on one count of second-degree child abuse, a 10-year felony." Lane was charged in connection with the child's death.
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?
Both documents state that Lane had prior outstanding criminal charges predating the current incident. Document 1 states: "Police took Lane to headquarters before lodging her in the county jail on two counts of delivering 50 grams or less of a narcotic or cocaine, charges Lane had been wanted on since a warrant was issued March 28." These drug delivery charges were issued months before the October 31 shooting incident and are separate from the second-degree child abuse charge arising from this child's death.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details not fully addressed by preceding questions: Document 1 states that "Lane did not legally own the gun, which police have recovered," raising concerns about illegal firearm possession in a home with a vulnerable child. The incident occurred at approximately 12:20 a.m. (document 1), an unusual hour for a 7-year-old to be unsupervised with access to a weapon. Additionally, Lane was released from jail the same day as her arraignment after posting a $10,000 bond (document 1: "Lane was released from the jail about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday after posting bond"), despite the child having died and Lane also facing outstanding drug delivery charges. The charge brought was second-degree child abuse (a 10-year felony) rather than a more severe charge such as manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.
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