On September 19, 2022, paramedics responded to a residence in the 3700 block of Lincoln Avenue in St. Louis for a report of an unresponsive 1-year-old child who was in the care of their mother, Bria J. Wilson, age 31. The child was transported to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and pronounced dead. While at the hospital, Wilson collapsed and officers discovered fentanyl capsules in her bag. An autopsy determined the cause of death was fentanyl ingestion/poisoning. Prosecutors stated the death was caused by Wilson's failure to supervise the child in the presence of the drug. Approximately 15 months later, Wilson was charged with first-degree child endangerment resulting in death and felony possession of a controlled substance. A no-bond warrant was issued but Wilson was not in custody at the time of reporting.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Both documents explicitly state the child died from fentanyl ingestion/poisoning. Document 1 states: "An autopsy determined that the child's death was caused by fentanyl ingestion." Document 2 states: "Medical examiners ruled the cause of death was fentanyl poisoning."
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)?
Document 2 explicitly states: "Prosecutors said in court filings the death was caused by Wilson failing to supervise the child in the presence of the drug." This directly describes inappropriate supervision leading to the child's fentanyl ingestion.
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?
Both documents identify the charged woman, Bria J. Wilson, as the child's mother. Document 1 headline refers to "her 1-year-old child" and the text states "the September 2022 death of her 1-year-old child due to ingesting fentanyl." Document 2 headline: "fentanyl poisoning death of her 1-year-old child." Wilson told police the child was in her care, fentanyl was found in her bag, and she was charged with child endangerment resulting in 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)?
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?
Both documents report that Bria J. Wilson was charged. Document 1 states: "Bria J. Wilson, 31, was charged Saturday with first-degree child endangerment resulting in the death of a child and possession of a controlled substance." Document 2 confirms: "St. Louis circuit attorneys have charged 31-year-old Bria J. Wilson with first-degree child endangerment resulting in the death of a child, a class A felony."
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?
While neither document explicitly states that Wilson used fentanyl herself, Document 1 states: "While at the hospital, Wilson collapsed. Police then found fentanyl capsules in Wilson's bag." Document 2 similarly states: "Wilson collapsed and officers found fentanyl in her bag." Her collapsing at the hospital while having fentanyl in her bag strongly implies personal substance use. She was also charged with "felony possession of a controlled substance."
Notable Details
There is a notable delay of approximately 15 months between the child's death in September 2022 and Wilson being charged in late December 2023. Additionally, Document 2 states "They plan to present the case to a grand jury," and both documents note "A no-bond warrant has been issued for Wilson's arrest. Court and jail records do not show she is in custody," indicating Wilson had not been apprehended as of the time of reporting despite facing a class A felony charge.
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