On December 15, 2022, at approximately 10 a.m., Poplar Bluff police officers responded to a home in the 600 block of Kinzer Street for a report of a possible infant death. Upon arrival, they learned the 7-week-old infant had already been taken to a local hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead. Investigation determined that the child had suffered severe head trauma indicative of abuse. The child's mother, 28-year-old Alisha Ivy of Poplar Bluff, was arrested and lodged at the Butler County Justice Center pending review of the case by the Butler County Prosecutor. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2022.
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)
All three sources state that the child "suffered severe head trauma, indicative of abuse." The phrase "indicative of abuse" directly indicates the injury was inflicted rather than accidental.
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?
All three sources describe "severe head trauma, indicative of abuse," which is a textbook description of abusive head trauma. The WPSD article states "Police claim the baby had severe head trauma indicative of abuse." This language directly describes abusive head trauma in a 7-week-old infant.
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?
All three sources identify the arrested individual as "the child's mother, Alisha Ivy, 28." Given that the child was only 7 weeks old, the mother is almost certainly the biological mother. The WSIL article states: "the child's mother, 28-year-old Alisha Ivy, was placed under arrest." The WPSD article states: "Officers arrested the infant's mother, 28-year-old Alisha Ivy."
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?
All three sources confirm that the child's mother, Alisha Ivy, 28, was arrested. The WSIL article states: "the child's mother, 28-year-old Alisha Ivy, was placed under arrest. She is being lodged at the Butler County Justice Center pending review of the case." The KBSI article states: "Alisha Ivy, 28, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested." The WPSD article states: "Officers arrested the infant's mother, 28-year-old Alisha Ivy."
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?
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.