On July 29, 2022, Leticia Ashley, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with children in the car in McKinley County, New Mexico, within the bounds of the Navajo Nation. The situation she placed the children in resulted in the death of one child and endangered the lives of three others. Ashley was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 23 and charged with involuntary manslaughter and abandonment and abuse of a child.
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)?
The press release states Ashley "while under the influence of alcohol, operated a motor vehicle with children in the car and placed those children in a situation which resulted in the death of one and endangered the lives of three others." Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with children in the car constitutes inappropriate supervision. The charge of "abandonment and abuse of a child" further supports this.
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?
The press release states that "on July 29, 2022, Ashley, while under the influence of alcohol, operated a motor vehicle with children in the car and placed those children in a situation which resulted in the death of one and endangered the lives of three others." This clearly describes a motor vehicle 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)?
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 press release states that "Leticia Ashley was arraigned on March 6 on an indictment charging her with involuntary manslaughter and abandonment and abuse of a child." She was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 23 and arraigned on March 6.
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?
The press release explicitly states that Ashley acted "while under the influence of alcohol" when she operated the motor vehicle with children in the car, directly referencing substance use by the caregiver.
Notable Details
The press release notes the incident "occurred in McKinley County, New Mexico, within the bounds of the Navajo Nation," which is why it is being prosecuted as a federal case (Indian Country jurisdiction) by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico rather than by state authorities. The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Additionally, the indictment notes that three other children's lives were endangered in the same incident, indicating multiple child victims beyond the deceased child.
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