On July 6, 2023, two-year-old Ahziyas Bellemy Solo-Dampha was fatally beaten by his mother's boyfriend, Austin Navarro, while in Navarro's care at their apartment in Albert Lea, Minnesota. While Ahziyas' mother was at work, Navarro texted her claiming Ahziyas fell down the stairs. When the mother demanded photos, Navarro sent an image showing the child unresponsive with bruises and blood on his face. Upon returning home, the mother found the apartment barricaded and Ahziyas unresponsive. She called 911, and Navarro fled the scene with Ahziyas' 12-week-old sibling, who was also found to have been severely abused with over 17 broken ribs in various stages of healing and bite marks. Ahziyas was pronounced dead at the hospital; his autopsy revealed rib fractures, a liver laceration, a transected pancreas, multiple subgaleal hemorrhages, and contusions throughout his face and neck. In recorded jail phone calls, Navarro admitted to punching Ahziyas in the head multiple times and kicking him in the side. Navarro had an extensive history of violence, including two prior terminations of parental rights and a prior assault that ruptured a previous partner's spleen, and his methamphetamine use was cited as a factor in his violent behavior. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and third-degree assault and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
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 Safe Passage report states that the mother's boyfriend "admitted to punching Ahziyas in the head multiple times and kicking him in the side" during recorded jail phone calls. The autopsy also revealed "rib fractures, a liver laceration, a transected pancreas, contusions throughout the face and neck, multiple subgaleal hemorrhages, and hematomas." The cause of death was listed as "multiple blunt force injuries."
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?
While the specific term "abusive head trauma" is not used, the Safe Passage report documents that the boyfriend "admitted to punching Ahziyas in the head multiple times," and the autopsy revealed "contusions throughout the face and neck, multiple subgaleal hemorrhages, and hematomas." These findings describe inflicted trauma to the head causing intracranial injury, which constitutes abusive head trauma even though the explicit diagnosis is not named.
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?
The Safe Passage report states "Ahziyas' mother made a series of poor decisions that put her children at risk" and documents that she allowed her boyfriend to have unsupervised contact with the children despite knowing he was violent and "heavy handed" with the children. The report also notes she received "multiple maltreatment determinations received for Ahziyas' death." While she was not the direct perpetrator, official findings determined her negligence contributed to the circumstances of Ahziyas' 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)?
All sources identify the perpetrator as the mother's boyfriend, Austin Navarro. The Safe Passage report identifies him as "Mother's paramour." The news articles identify him as the mother's boyfriend who was home watching the children. He was charged, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder.
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)?
The Safe Passage report documents multiple prior CPS contacts: "In March 2022, a Family Assessment was opened after a domestic altercation between Ahziyas' mother and Ahziyas' biological father. Ahziyas' mother was holding Ahziyas when Ahziyas' father assaulted her." Additionally, "When Ahziyas' younger sibling was born, FCDHS received a Birth Match" due to the boyfriend's prior documented history, though it was screened out. The boyfriend also had extensive prior CPS involvement with his other children, including two Termination of Parental Rights proceedings.
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 Safe Passage report states the boyfriend "was arrested, charged with Second Degree Murder and Assault in the Third Degree." The news articles confirm Austin Navarro was arrested and charged. He later "pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 25 years for Ahziyas' murder and a concurrent 32 months for Ahziyas' sibling's physical abuse."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Safe Passage report extensively documents domestic violence: the boyfriend "stomped on Ahziyas' mother's right shoulder before dragging her into the apartment where he continued assaulting her" four days before Ahziyas' death. The boyfriend had also "beat the mother of his other children so badly that her spleen ruptured, requiring emergency surgery" in 2019. Additionally, a prior Family Assessment was opened after "a domestic altercation between Ahziyas' mother and Ahziyas' biological father." The report also notes the boyfriend "violated two of his three DANCOs."
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?
The Safe Passage report documents prior violent behavior by the boyfriend predating Ahziyas' death: "In 2019, he beat the mother of his other children so badly that her spleen ruptured, requiring emergency surgery." The report also states he "violated two of his three DANCOs," which constitutes criminal behavior. Additionally, the news article notes he was arrested at the time of the incident for "driving after revocation," implying a prior license revocation. While explicit prior criminal charges or convictions are not enumerated, the 2019 assault causing a ruptured spleen and DANCO violations strongly imply prior criminal history.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Safe Passage report states: "Ahziyas' mother blamed her boyfriend's methamphetamine use for the domestic abuse she experienced" and "when her boyfriend uses methamphetamine, she attempts to have her family members watch the children, since her boyfriend is the most violent when effects of the drug are waning."
Notable Details
The Safe Passage report identifies significant systemic child welfare failures. When Ahziyas' younger sibling was born, FCDHS received a Birth Match that flagged the boyfriend's prior history, but "the case was screened out for 'not meeting criteria' since the TPR was voluntary and Ahziyas' mother's boyfriend was reportedly not living with Ahziyas' mother and Ahziyas." The report criticizes this decision, noting: "It is common for parents to agree to 'voluntary' TPRs because the parent is told that a decision by the court for an involuntary TPR is imminent." The boyfriend had two prior Termination of Parental Rights for violent behavior. Additionally, the boyfriend was released on bail only a week after being charged with second-degree murder. The report also documents a troubling post-death pattern: Ahziyas' mother continued to violate the DANCO by contacting her son's killer, and then "began a relationship with another man who eventually went to prison for domestic assault," and the report concludes that "Child safety cannot be voluntary. When a parent is unable to identify safety concerns, the system is obliged to do so."
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.