On May 20, 2022, police in Eden, North Carolina, responded to a residence on the 200 block of Dameron Street regarding 16-month-old Cam'den Lamar Hairston, who was found suffering from cardiac arrest. The child was transported to a local medical facility where he was later pronounced dead. The cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrest due to suspected abuse-related injuries, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. Following an investigation, the child's mother, 22-year-old Courtney Danielle Hairston, was arrested and charged with intentional felony child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. She was held on a $250,000 secured bond.
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)
The medical examiner report (NC_22_1307.pdf) lists the cause of death as "cardiac arrest due to suspected abuse-related injuries," and the manner of death as homicide. While no specific mechanism of inflicted injury (e.g., punching, kicking) is named, the phrase "abuse-related injuries" strongly implies that injuries were inflicted upon the child. The charge of "intentional felony child abuse" further supports this inference.
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?
The WFMY news article explicitly identifies Courtney Danielle Hairston as the child's mother: "A mother is facing charges in connection with the death of her 16-month-old boy." She was arrested and charged with intentional felony child abuse and involuntary manslaughter.
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 medical examiner report states: "Eden Police arrested and charged 22-year-old Courtney Danielle Hairston with involuntary manslaughter and intentional felony child abuse." The Fox8 news article adds that "Hairston was given a $250,000 secured 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?
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.