Aiden Silver
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CANDID ID: NC_22_61
AGE
1   year
STATE
North Carolina
DATE OF DEATH
10/23/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On October 23, 2022, EMS responded to a home on York Street in south Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina, after 15-month-old Aiden Silver was reported to be losing and regaining consciousness. Later that evening, police were called back to the same residence where Aiden was found unresponsive; he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Although it was initially reported that the child had fallen, an autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma of the torso, revealing internal bleeding, three broken ribs, and injuries to the liver and spleen that filled the abdominal cavity with blood. The injuries were determined to be non-accidental. Isaiah Miller, 19, who was in a dating relationship with Aiden's mother, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse.
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 fatality report (NC_22_61.pdf) states the cause of death was "Internal injuries" and that "an autopsy revealed internal injuries that were determined to be non-accidental." The WRAL autopsy article further details: "The autopsy report determined Aiden Silver died as a result of 'blunt force trauma of the torso,'" and that "the baby boy suffered from internal bleeding and three broken ribs" with "the abdominal cavity was filled with blood caused by injury to the liver and spleen." These injuries are consistent with inflicted blunt force trauma such as punching or kicking.

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?

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 fatality report (NC_22_61.pdf) states: "Isaiah Miller, 19, who was in a relationship with Aiden's mother, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse." The WRAL community concern article similarly states: "Miller was in a dating relationship with Silver's mother at the time of the October incident." Miller was the mother's boyfriend (male paramour) and was charged with the child's murder.

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 fatality report (NC_22_61.pdf) states: "Isaiah Miller, 19, who was in a relationship with Aiden's mother, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse. He is being held without bond at the Nash County Detention Center." This is corroborated by both WRAL articles.

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 WRAL community concern article reports a notable systemic pattern: "Police said it appears Silver is the fourth child younger than the age of 2 to be allegedly abused to death this year in Rocky Mount." This indicates a troubling cluster of fatal child abuse cases in the same city during 2022. The article also discusses community concerns about a possible increase in serious child abuse cases, though the Nash County Sheriff's Office stated there had not been a significant increase (six cases in 2021 vs. seven so far in 2022). Additionally, the fatality report notes that the initial report was a false story of a fall: "Although it was initially reported that the child had fallen, an autopsy revealed internal injuries that were determined to be non-accidental."

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