Four-year-old Nia Ferguson, a Type 1 diabetic, died on September 5, 2023, after her mother, Shanika Adams, 44, allegedly deprived her of insulin. Cumberland County EMS was dispatched to Adams' home on Livingston Drive in Fayetteville, North Carolina, after reports of a diabetic emergency. Nia was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived. She was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where she was resuscitated and placed on life support but ultimately died. Adams was 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)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article headline explicitly references "medical neglect" and states that the mother was charged "with the death of her diabetic daughter after allegedly depriving her of insulin." Withholding medically necessary insulin from a Type 1 diabetic child is a clear form 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 news article explicitly identifies Shanika Adams as 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 on Sept. 5." The headline also refers to "a Fayetteville mother's medical neglect."
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 news article states that "Nia, who was a Type 1 diabetic, was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived." Type 1 diabetes is a chronic physical medical condition requiring ongoing insulin treatment to sustain life, making the child medically fragile and dependent on external medical intervention.
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 news article states: "Shanika Adams, 44, is charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of four-year-old Nia Ferguson on Sept. 5."
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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