Four-year-old Nia Ferguson, a Type 1 diabetic, died on September 5, 2023 in Cumberland County, North Carolina after her mother, Shanika Adams, 44, allegedly deprived her of insulin. Cumberland County EMS responded to a diabetic emergency at the family's Fayetteville home, finding Nia in cardiac arrest; she was resuscitated and placed on life support at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The mother was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse, and the medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide.
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?
The Fayetteville Observer article headline and text state a "mother's medical neglect led to her 4-year-old daughter's death" and that she allegedly caused the death "after allegedly depriving her of insulin" for her Type 1 diabetes.
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 Fayetteville Observer article reports that the child's mother, "Shanika Adams, 44, is charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of four-year-old Nia Ferguson," after allegedly depriving her diabetic daughter of insulin.
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)
The Fayetteville Observer article describes Nia as "a Type 1 diabetic" who required insulin, a chronic medical condition that may be considered a physical disability, though the text does not use the word disability.
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 Fayetteville Observer article states the mother "was charged Thursday with the death of her diabetic daughter" and "is charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of four-year-old Nia Ferguson."
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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