On June 17, 2022, 20-year-old Bria B. Fisher called 911 at approximately 7:30 a.m. to report that her nearly 3-month-old son, Legend Cortez Maynard, was not breathing at their townhouse in Saginaw, Michigan. Fisher told police she had been changing Legend's diaper about 30 minutes earlier, attempted to breastfeed him, then lay down on the couch with him on her chest and fell asleep. She awoke to find the baby no longer attached to her breast and not breathing. Paramedics attempted resuscitation but Legend was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death, but toxicology results revealed illegal narcotics in the infant's system. Fisher was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of second-degree child abuse, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states: "toxicology results showed illegal narcotics in his system." This is direct evidence of drug presence in the child's body, indicating drug ingestion or exposure.
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)
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?
The article describes an unsafe sleeping arrangement: the mother "lay down on the couch with Legend on her chest and fell asleep." An infant sleeping on a parent's chest on a couch is a well-documented unsafe sleep environment. The baby was found unresponsive in this arrangement.
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 article identifies the biological mother, Bria B. Fisher, as the person charged with second-degree child abuse in connection with the child's death. She was the sole caregiver present at the time of death and is stated to be the child's mother.
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 article states: "Authorities on July 21 issued a warrant for Fisher's arrest and police arrested her the same day. Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman on July 22 arraigned Fisher on one count of second-degree child abuse, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison."
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 article states that "toxicology results showed illegal narcotics in his system" and the mother was charged with second-degree child abuse. The infant was breastfeeding at the time of the incident. The presence of illegal narcotics in an infant's system, combined with the child abuse charge against the mother, strongly implies that the mother used illegal substances and exposed the child through breastmilk or other means.
Notable Details
The article notes that "An autopsy conducted on Legend's remains was unable to yield his cause of death, though toxicology results showed illegal narcotics in his system." This is notable because the cause of death could not be determined by the autopsy — the only finding was the presence of illegal narcotics. Despite the inability to determine cause of death, the mother was still charged with second-degree child abuse (not homicide or manslaughter), suggesting prosecutors may have been limited in what charges they could bring given the inconclusive autopsy results.
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.