On August 24, 2022, an 18-month-old male was found unresponsive in a crib at the family home in Reno, Nevada. Life-saving measures were performed by the family, emergency medical personnel, and hospital personnel. He was initially pronounced deceased, but eye movement and breath sounds were noted, and he was intubated and placed on life support. Subsequent toxicology testing revealed the child was positive for fentanyl at the time of admission, and medical records confirmed no fentanyl was administered for treatment, indicating ingestion occurred in the mother's home. Life support was withdrawn on August 31, 2022, and the child was pronounced deceased. The child had prior child welfare history including a substantiated neglect finding and a marijuana-positive birth screen.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report explicitly states: "Further toxicology testing was performed, and child was found to be positive at time of admission for Fentanyl. Medical records confirm no Fentanyl was given for treatment and ingestion occurred in the mother's home." This directly indicates child drug ingestion.
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 fatality report states the 18-month-old child ingested fentanyl in the mother's home and was found unresponsive in a crib. The accessibility of fentanyl to an 18-month-old child implies a failure in appropriate supervision or environmental safety. Additionally, the prior history includes a substantiated finding for "physical risk and environmental neglect" in 8/2021.
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)?
The fatality report's Prior History section states: "2/9/2021- Information Only- Infant positive of marijuana at time of birth, report did not rise to the level of an investigation." This is direct evidence of prenatal substance exposure.
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 fatality report states that "ingestion occurred in the mother's home," placing the mother as the caregiver responsible for the environment where the fatal fentanyl exposure took place. The child was in the mother's care at the time of the incident, and the prior history of substantiated neglect ("physical risk and environmental neglect") further implicates the mother's caregiving environment.
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's Prior History section documents multiple prior contacts: "8/2021- Substantiated for neglect- physical risk and environmental neglect"; "8/021- Information Only – report did not rise to the level of an investigation"; and "2/9/2021- Information Only- Infant positive of marijuana at time of birth, report did not rise to the level of an investigation."
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?
The fatality report states the child was positive for fentanyl and that "ingestion occurred in the mother's home," and "Medical records confirm no Fentanyl was given for treatment." The presence of fentanyl in the home accessible to an 18-month-old implies parental/caregiver substance involvement. Additionally, the prior history notes the "Infant positive of marijuana at time of birth" (2/9/2021), which implies maternal marijuana use during pregnancy.
Notable Details
The fatality report documents a notable pattern of prior child welfare involvement that preceded the fatal incident. The child had a substantiated neglect finding for "physical risk and environmental neglect" in August 2021, as well as two information-only reports—one at birth for the infant being positive for marijuana (2/9/2021) and another in 8/2021 that "did not rise to the level of an investigation." Despite this history, the child remained in the mother's home where fentanyl was accessible, ultimately leading to the child's death. Additionally, the agency notes a sibling in the home requiring a present danger plan, suggesting ongoing safety concerns for other children.
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