Tyler Moorehead, a 22-month-old boy, died on January 20, 2022, from fentanyl intoxication at his mother's apartment in Maryland Heights, Missouri. His mother, Alisha Williams, had asked the child's father, Jerry Frederick Moorehead Jr., to watch Tyler and a 6-year-old child while she went to work at a gas station, as her usual babysitters were unavailable. The father exposed both children to fentanyl; Tyler died, while the 6-year-old survived. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, and the father was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The mother stated she did not know her husband used drugs.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The medical examiner report (MO_22_2212.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Fentanyl intoxication." The news article states the toddler "died on Jan. 20 after he and another child were exposed to fentanyl at a Maryland Heights apartment."
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?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The news article states: "Tyler's father, Jerry Frederick Moorehead Jr., 34, is accused of exposing the toddler to fentanyl, causing his death." The article also describes him as "the boy's father" who was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
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)?
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 news article states: "Prosecutors charged the boy's father with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child." Jerry Frederick Moorehead Jr. was charged in connection with Tyler'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?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article quotes the mother, Alisha Williams, stating: "she didn't know her husband used drugs, or she wouldn't have left the children in his care." This directly references the father/caregiver's drug use.
Notable Details
The news article reports several notable details: (1) A second child, a 6-year-old, was also exposed to fentanyl by the father but survived: "Moorehead...also exposed a 6-year-old to the drug, but that child survived." (2) Prosecutors took the unusual step of refusing to identify the deceased child to the press: "Prosecutors even refused to identify the boy to the Post-Dispatch." (3) The parents were married but living separately: "she and Moorehead are still married but have lived separately for years."
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