McKinley Hardy
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CANDID ID: MI_24_2427
AGE
1   year
STATE
Michigan
DATE OF DEATH
6/1/2024
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On June 1, 2024, police were called to a home on Tamarack Drive in Wixom, Michigan, where 1-year-old McKinley Hardy was found unresponsive. The child's mother and her boyfriend, Christopher Charles Savage, 24, were performing CPR when officers arrived. McKinley was transported to Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi and then to Children's Hospital in Detroit, where she died from multiple injuries including abusive head trauma. Savage, who was reportedly the only adult with the child when she suffered her injuries, was charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse. He was denied bond and held at the Oakland County Jail.
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 medical examiner report (MI_24_2427.pdf) lists the immediate cause of death as "Multiple injuries including abusive head trauma" with a description of "child abuse," and manner of death as "Homicide." The news articles confirm the child had "multiple injuries throughout her body." These injuries were inflicted, as the death was ruled a homicide resulting from child abuse.

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?

The medical examiner report (MI_24_2427.pdf) explicitly states the immediate cause of death as "Multiple injuries including abusive head trauma." The Fox 2 article corroborates this, quoting Det. Sgt. Dean Caldwell: "the one that most likely was the cause of death at this point, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's office, would've been an injury to her head."

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)?

Both news articles identify the accused as Christopher Charles Savage, 24, the boyfriend of the child's mother. The ClickOnDetroit article states: "The boyfriend of an Oakland County mother has been charged with murder after the death of a 1-year-old girl." He is described as the mother's boyfriend and "accused of being the only adult with her at the time she suffered those injuries." He was charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse.

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 ClickOnDetroit article states: "Savage was taken into custody and arraigned Tuesday at 52-1 District Court on charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse." The Fox 2 article confirms: "Christopher Charles Savage, 24, was charged Tuesday with felony murder and first-degree child abuse." He was denied bond and held at the Oakland County Jail.

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?

Lives Cut Short