On April 12, 2022, a one-year-old male child was brought to a local hospital emergency room in Henderson, Nevada by his adult caregiver. Upon arrival, the child was unresponsive. Lifesaving measures were performed but were unsuccessful, and the child was pronounced deceased. The cause of death was determined to be acute intoxication by fentanyl, with the manner ruled accidental. An initial investigation by Clark County Department of Family Services found neglect allegations unsubstantiated. Approximately six months later, on October 19, 2022, the agency received additional information related to the child's death and reopened the investigation.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states the cause of death as "Acute intoxication by Fentanyl." The child was approximately one year old, making this a case 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?
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)?
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)?
The fatality report explicitly lists prior CPS history: "1/15/2020 – A referral was received and was coded 'Information Only'." and "3/29/2021 – A report was received alleging neglect. Upon conclusion of the requisite investigation, the allegation was found unsubstantiated." The 1/15/2020 referral predates the child's birth (3/30/2021), so it pertained to a family or household member. The 3/29/2021 neglect report was received the day before the child's birth and found unsubstantiated.
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 fatality report contains several notable details: (1) The initial investigation after the child's death on 4/12/2022 found neglect allegations unsubstantiated, but on 10/19/2022, "CCDFS received additional information relating to the child's death" and "re-opened both cases for further investigation and family assessment." This six-month delay before reopening is significant. (2) Henderson Police Department requested portions of information be withheld from public disclosure. (3) A "companion case was also opened for a secondary household connected to relevant family members," suggesting a complex family arrangement across multiple households. (4) Both households declined offered referrals for therapeutic counseling and support services after the initial investigation.
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