Lyndis Tapia
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CANDID ID: NM_23_2184
AGE
Infant
STATE
New Mexico
DATE OF DEATH
5/16/2023
MEDIA
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Lyndis Tapia, a female infant born in 2022, was staying with her grandparents and had minor respiratory complaints. At approximately 10 pm, she was placed to sleep on a couch alongside her grandmother in a lateral position. At 6 am, she was found unresponsive in a prone position on her grandmother's feet, surrounded by bedding and against the couch. The autopsy found no injuries or trauma but revealed cerebral and pulmonary edema consistent with asphyxia and the presence of ziprasidone (an antipsychotic medication) in her blood at 43 ng/mL. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxial injuries in an unsafe sleep environment combined with the toxic effects of ziprasidone. The manner of death was ruled undetermined because it remained unclear how or why ziprasidone was present in the child's body.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The autopsy report lists "Toxic effects of ziprasidone" as part of the cause of death and states: "Comprehensive toxicology testing of the blood revealed ziprasidone" at 43 ng/mL. The report notes "it is still unclear how and why ziprasidone was found on Lyndis's body." Ziprasidone is an antipsychotic medication not intended for infant use, and its presence in the child's blood constitutes evidence of child drug exposure.

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?

The cause of death is explicitly stated as "Asphyxial injuries in the setting of an unsafe sleep environment and the toxic effects of ziprasidone." The report details the unsafe sleep conditions: "She was put to sleep in a couch with her grandmother at around 10 pm, next to each other, on lateral decubitus. She was found unresponsive at 6 am in a prone position on the grandmother's feet, surrounding by bedding, and against the couch." The report further states: "The current recommendations are that infants should sleep alone, on their backs, without soft blankets or bedding. In addition, sleeping with adults, particularly if they are under the influence of drugs, medications, or alcohol, poses a risk."

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)

The autopsy report states: "Lyndis Tapia was a female baby that was staying with her grandparents" and "She was put to sleep in a couch with her grandmother at around 10 pm, next to each other." The grandmother was co-sleeping with the child on the couch, and the cause of death includes asphyxial injuries from the unsafe sleep environment involving co-sleeping with an adult. The grandmother (an adult relative) was directly involved in the circumstances leading to the child's 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 autopsy report states: "Lyndis Tapia was a female baby that was staying with her grandparents and having minor respiratory complaints." The word "staying" suggests the child was with relatives (grandparents, not parents) at the time of the incident. While "staying" could imply a temporary arrangement rather than permanent residence, the child was in the care of relatives at the time of the incident.

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?

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 autopsy report contains a notable unexplained finding: the presence of ziprasidone (an antipsychotic medication prescribed for mental health issues) in the infant's blood at 43 ng/mL. The report explicitly states: "Currently, it is still unclear how and why ziprasidone was found on Lyndis's body, and therefore, the manner of death is best certified as undetermined. If additional information becomes available in the future, the case may be re-evaluated as appropriate." This unexplained drug finding in an infant is a significant detail that directly affected the manner of death determination, leaving it as undetermined rather than accident. The report also references pediatric literature on ziprasidone adverse effects including "somnolence, sedation, low blood pressure, arrhythmias, serotonin syndrome, coma, and death."

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