A 12-year-old boy living with his grandmother in Blackwood, New Jersey, was found unresponsive on his school bus on January 24, 2022. The school nurse performed life-saving measures until EMS transported him to a hospital, where he died on February 1. The cause of death was determined to be fentanyl intoxication. His uncle, Troy Nokes (age 35), had allegedly manufactured fentanyl in the home the weekend before and directed the child to clean drug paraphernalia containing fentanyl; witnesses indicated the boy was not wearing gloves. Nokes was charged with aggravated manslaughter, strict liability drug-induced death, maintaining a drug production facility, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and numerous other offenses. His girlfriend, Joanna Johnson, was also charged with tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
All three documents describe the child's death as a fentanyl overdose. The NBC article states: "His cause of death was ruled drug intoxication, specifically fentanyl, according to the City of Philadelphia Office of the Medical Examiner's Office." The CBS article similarly states: "Medical examiners determined fentanyl intoxication as his cause of death."
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?
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)?
Joanna Johnson, described in the NBC article as "Nokes' girlfriend," was charged with "tampering of evidence and hindering Nokes' arrest." While her involvement was in the aftermath (cover-up) rather than directly causing the death, she was formally charged in the case. She is a female paramour of the uncle (Troy Nokes) who directly caused the child's death.
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)
Troy Nokes, 35, is the child's uncle. All three documents describe him as responsible for the child's death. The NBC article states: "A New Jersey man has been arrested, accused of causing his 12-year-old nephew's overdose death by forcing him to clean up drug paraphernalia that contained fentanyl." The CBS article confirms: "Troy Nokes, 35, is accused of directing the boy to clean drug paraphernalia that contained fentanyl prior to his death."
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)?
The NBC article quotes Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins: "the grandmother and caretaker of the child is 'devastated'" and "she's lost her 12-year-old grandson." This clearly establishes the child was living with his grandmother, a relative who is not a parent. The child also lived in the home where his uncle Nokes manufactured fentanyl.
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?
Troy Nokes was charged with numerous offenses including "first-degree aggravated manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child" per the NBC article. The CBS article details the full list of charges including "first degree aggravated manslaughter, first degree strict liability drug-induced death" and many others. Joanna Johnson was also "charged with tampering of evidence and hindering Nokes' arrest." Both were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service.
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?
Troy Nokes, the child's uncle who lived in the same household, "allegedly manufactured fentanyl" in the home according to the NBC article. While he was not the primary caregiver (the grandmother was the caretaker), Nokes was a household member with authority over the child, as evidenced by his ability to direct the child to clean drug paraphernalia. Manufacturing fentanyl constitutes drug-related activity by a household adult.
Notable Details
The NBC article includes expert commentary that creates a notable tension with the prosecution's theory of the case. The article states: "Medical experts have said that fentanyl exposure alone does not cause overdoses." It quotes Ryan Marino, medical director for toxicology and addiction at University Hospitals in Cleveland, saying "casual exposure alone is not" dangerous. The Drug Policy Alliance is also quoted as saying "it is not possible to overdose on fentanyl or fentanyl analogues through accidental skin contact or from close proximity alone. Gloves are enough." This raises questions about the exact mechanism of the child's exposure, since the prosecution's theory centers on the child cleaning paraphernalia without gloves. Additionally, the CBS article notes that the school superintendent "urged parents to speak with their children about it 'as they process the difficult emotions that result from such an occurrence,'" indicating the broader impact on the school community.
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