A 5-month-old Black male infant was admitted to UNC Lenoir Health Care in Kinston, North Carolina, with multiple injuries consistent with child abuse. Kinston police responded and investigated the case. The child's father, 22-year-old Ricardo Kadin Battle, was initially charged with felony child abuse and arrested without incident. The child subsequently died from blunt force injuries on April 14, 2022, and Battle was additionally charged with second-degree murder. He was held without bond in the Lenoir County Jail as the investigation remained ongoing.
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 lists the cause of death as "Blunt force injuries" and the manner as "Homicide." It further states the child was "admitted with multiple injuries consistent with child abuse." The news article corroborates: "officials determined the 5-month-old victim had sustained multiple injuries to his body." These indicate inflicted blunt force trauma.
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 medical examiner report identifies "The infant's father, 22-year-old Ricardo Kadin Battle," who was charged with felony child abuse and second-degree murder. The news article confirms the biological relationship, stating "his 5-month-old son was admitted to the hospital."
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?
The medical examiner report states that "The infant's father, 22-year-old Ricardo Kadin Battle, was initially charged with felony child abuse and subsequently charged with second-degree murder following the child's death." The news article confirms: "Battle was charged with second-degree murder. He is now being held without 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?
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