On June 10, 2023, the Forrest County Sheriff's Office received a call about a possibly deceased child in the Carnes community. A two-year-old was pronounced dead at a residence, with the time of death around 1:30 p.m. The body was sent for autopsy. Following an investigation, 21-year-old Kristen Perkins and her 23-year-old boyfriend Christian Runnels were arrested on July 18, 2023, and each charged with two counts of felony child neglect. Both were held in the Forrest County Adult Detention Center on $400,000 bond each, with additional charges possible as the investigation continued.
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)
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?
Kristen Perkins, 21, was charged with two counts of felony child neglect in connection with the child's death. The WDAM article identifies Runnels as "Perkins' reported boyfriend," not as the child's father. Given that Perkins is a 21-year-old woman residing with her boyfriend and charged with neglect of a two-year-old found at a residence, it is reasonable to infer she is the child's biological mother, though this is not explicitly stated.
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)?
The WDAM article states: "23-year-old Christian Runnels of Lumberton, Perkins' reported boyfriend, was also arrested and charged with two counts of felony child neglect." Runnels is explicitly described as Perkins' boyfriend (a male paramour) and was charged in connection with the child's death.
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 Kristen Perkins and Christian Runnels were arrested and charged with two counts of felony child neglect each in connection with the child's death. The WDAM article states: "21-year-old Kristen Perkins of Morton, Miss., was arrested on Tuesday, July 18, and charged with two counts of felony child neglect" and "23-year-old Christian Runnels of Lumberton, Perkins' reported boyfriend, was also arrested and charged with two counts of felony child neglect."
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?
Notable Details
The WDAM article notes that "The body was sent for an autopsy," and both documents state "Other charges may be filed as the investigation continues." This indicates the cause of death had not yet been determined at the time of reporting, and additional charges beyond felony child neglect were being considered. Additionally, both suspects were charged with two counts of felony child neglect each despite only one death being reported, suggesting a second child may have also been neglected.
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