On March 20, 2023, 17-month-old Brylie Stevenson was being babysat by Mary Curtis, 30, at Curtis's home when the child went to sleep on the floor. The child appeared normal when placed in Curtis's care but was later found unconscious. Curtis transported the child to another home and called police; Brylie was pronounced dead at a hospital. Toxicology revealed lethal levels of fentanyl, xylazine, and acetyl fentanyl, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Curtis was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. At the time of Brylie's death, Curtis was already out on bond for the death of her own 17-day-old child from chronic methadone exposure, and authorities ultimately linked her to the drug-related deaths of four children total.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The medical examiner report (MO_23_1953.pdf) states the cause of death as "Xylazine, Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl intoxication." The CBS article further states that "A toxicology report showed Brailey had lethal levels of fentanyl and xylazine in her system." This is an unambiguous child drug overdose death.
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)?
The CBS article states that "Curtis was watching Brailey in her home on March 20, when Brailey went to sleep on the floor" and that "The toddler appeared to be normal when she was placed with Curtis and appeared to be unconscious when Curtis brought her to the other caretaker." A 17-month-old child was exposed to lethal levels of fentanyl, xylazine, and acetyl fentanyl while under Curtis's supervision, which implies a fundamental failure of appropriate supervision, whether through intentional exposure or negligent access to dangerous substances.
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)?
While no prenatal substance exposure is mentioned for Brylie Stevenson specifically, the case documents describe prenatal substance exposure affecting the caregiver's other children. The KMOV article states Curtis's "17-day-old child who died of chronic methadone exposure" and that "Curtis gave birth to twins and both children died when they were two days old due to drug exposure." The CBS article corroborates this: "Curtis had drug-exposed twins born five months prematurely, who died soon after they were born in 2020." Prosecutors also noted "most [of Curtis's eight children] were born with drug exposure." These represent instances of prenatal substance exposure mentioned within the case documents.
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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The KMOV article states Curtis was involved in "the March 2023 overdose death of a friend's 1-year-old who she was babysitting." The CBS article confirms "Curtis was watching Brailey in her home on March 20." Curtis was functioning as a babysitter for the child at the time of death.
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
The KMOV article describes Curtis as involved in "the March 2023 overdose death of a friend's 1-year-old who she was babysitting." Curtis was a female friend of the child's parent who was directly involved in the child's death. The CBS article similarly states Curtis "was caring for a toddler who died with fentanyl and another drug in her system."
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)?
The CBS article states that "Curtis has been investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division several times." While these CPS investigations pertained to Curtis's own biological children rather than to Brylie Stevenson specifically, they represent a history of child protection involvement with the caregiver who was responsible for Brylie's death.
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 CBS article states: "St. Louis County prosecutors on Thursday charged her with endangering the welfare of a child in the death of 17-month-old Brailey Stevenson." Curtis was also "jailed on $1 million cash-only bond."
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?
The CBS article states that "Curtis was out on bond in connection with the death of a previous child" at the time of Brylie's death. The KMOV article further clarifies: "In March 2022 St. Louis City prosecutors [charged] Curtis was responsible for the death of her 17-day-old child who died of chronic methadone exposure." Additionally, the CBS article notes: "Prosecutors in St. Louis County also accused Curtis of resisting arrest for a felony after police claimed she evaded a traffic stop, crashed a vehicle and fled officers in September 2022." Both of these criminal matters predate Brylie's death on March 20, 2023.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The CBS article states that Curtis's mother, Nadine Richardson, "said Curtis was using methadone to treat a heroin addiction at the time" of her own child's death. This establishes a documented history of substance use by the caregiver. Additionally, the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, and acetyl fentanyl in the child's system while in Curtis's care strongly implies Curtis had access to and was involved with these substances.
Notable Details
Several notable systemic and legal issues are described across the documents. The KMOV article reveals that Curtis was out on bond for a previous child's death when Brylie died, and that "investigators believe [she] is connected to the overdose deaths of four children." Prosecutors stated Curtis "has given birth to eight children, none of are in her custody and most were born with drug exposure." The CBS article notes "Curtis has been investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division several times," yet she was still able to babysit someone else's child. Additionally, the KMOV article describes that after being jailed for Brylie's death, Curtis was granted bond and house arrest partly because she was pregnant, over the prosecutor's objections. These details point to significant failures in the child welfare system and criminal justice oversight.
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