On August 9, 2023, at approximately 6:02 p.m., six-month-old Aniah Jean Coffel died after being left unattended in a bathtub with the water running at the Burke Apartments in West Plains, Missouri. Her father, Levi M. Coffel, admitted to placing her in the bathtub and then becoming distracted while retrieving her diaper bag, leaving her alone for a few minutes. Upon returning, he found the infant not breathing and attempted CPR while calling 911. Emergency medical personnel responded but were unable to revive the child. Investigators reported smelling drugs inside the home, and three other children were present at the time of the incident. Coffel was arrested and charged with abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, a Class A Felony, with bond set at $100,000.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Although the word "drowning" is not explicitly used, the circumstances strongly indicate drowning. Both documents describe the infant being placed in a bathtub with water running, left alone for a few minutes, and then found not breathing. The KY3 article states: "Coffel admitted to placing the six-month-old into the bathtub with the water running" and "leaving the baby alone for a few minutes." The Ozark Radio News states he "returned to the baby not breathing." A bathtub submersion incident resulting in an infant found not breathing is consistent with drowning.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Both documents describe the caregiver leaving the six-month-old infant alone in a bathtub with water running. The KY3 article states: "Investigators say he got distracted while getting the baby's diaper bag, leaving the baby alone for a few minutes." The Ozark Radio News article corroborates: "Police say he was distracted and left the infant alone in the tub for a few minutes and returned to the baby not breathing."
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 Ozark Radio News article states: "Coffel had placed his six-month-old daughter into the bathtub with the water running." The use of "his...daughter" indicates a paternal relationship. The GoFundMe link also shows the child's last name as Coffel, matching the father's surname. While the text does not explicitly state "biological father," the possessive language and shared surname strongly imply he is the biological father.
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?
Both documents confirm that Levi M. Coffel was arrested and charged. The Ozark Radio News article states: "Levi M. Coffel is charged with abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, a Class A Felony, and is being held on a $100,000 bond. He was arrested by the West Plains Police Department on August 9, 2023."
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 KY3 article states: "Investigators say they smelled drugs inside the house when they arrived." While no specific substance is named and no direct statement of drug use by the caregiver is made, the presence of a drug smell in the home where the caregiver resided implies substance use in the household environment.
Notable Details
The KY3 article notes: "Police say they found three other children in the home at the time of the incident." This detail, while not directly addressed by the preceding questions, is relevant for researchers as it indicates there were multiple children in the household who may have also been at risk. Additionally, investigators noted the smell of drugs in the home, which combined with the presence of multiple children, paints a broader picture of the household environment.
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