Miles Stano III was born on December 7, 2021, with apnea and heart issues requiring a feeding tube, and remained in intensive care at University Medical Center until March 2022. On April 1, 2022, approximately one month after being discharged home, his mother Lindsey Bello reported finding the infant cold and not breathing after putting him down for a nap. Emergency responders found the child already deceased. The Clark County Coroner's Office determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma, with findings including multiple skull fractures, bruises, and cuts; the body also appeared emaciated. The manner of death was ruled homicide. Both parents, Miles Stano Jr. (28) and Lindsey Bello (22), were the only caregivers and were arrested and charged with second-degree murder, child abuse, neglect, and child endangerment. Both ultimately pleaded guilty and were sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.
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)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The news article states the coroner found "multiple injuries including skull fractures and bruises" and that the cause of death was "blunt force trauma, and the manner of death is homicide." The law firm article further states the blunt force trauma "directly caused cuts, bruising, and skull fractures." These injuries were clearly inflicted upon the child.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The news article states that during the coroner's observation, "Miles' body also appeared to be emaciated." This constitutes evidence of malnutrition or starvation.
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?
While the specific terms "shaken baby" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the law firm article describes "serious bruising on his head and suffered from a fractured skull," and the news article references "skull fractures and bruises" from blunt force trauma in a 3-month-old infant. Inflicted skull fractures and head bruising in an infant constitute 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?
The news article states "Bello told police she had been dating Stano and they had Miles III together." Miles Stano Jr. is the biological father. Both parents were arrested and charged with murder. The news article states they "were the only two caring for Miles III at the time the violent act/acts were inflicted upon him."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Lindsey Bello is identified as the biological mother of Miles Stano III. The news article states "Bello told police she had been dating Stano and they had Miles III together." She was arrested and charged with murder and child abuse/neglect, and both parents "were the only two caring for Miles III at the time the violent act/acts were inflicted upon him."
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)
The law firm article states the child "was born with apnea and heart issues, requiring the use of a feeding tube. The infant required intensive care and stayed at the University Medical Center until March of 2022." These are physical medical conditions/disabilities including the use of a 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 documents extensive prior CPS history including: 8/8/2018 coded "Information Only"; 8/20/2018 report of abuse found unsubstantiated; 11/1/2019 report of neglect found substantiated with court action and family placed under formal supervision; 3/11/2021 report of abuse and neglect found unsubstantiated; 5/10/2021 coded "Information Only"; and 12/8/2021 report of abuse found unsubstantiated. The news article also references that "Child Protective Services received four reports of abuse or neglect."
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 news article states Miles Stano Jr. and Lindsey Bello "were arrested on suspicion of murder and child abuse/neglect" and "Both have been charged and are being held without bail." The law firm article confirms they were "charged with second-degree murder, child abuse, neglect, and child endangerment" and both were subsequently sentenced to 10 years minimum in prison.
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
Several notable details emerge from the source material. The law firm article states the child "was born with apnea and heart issues, requiring the use of a feeding tube. The infant required intensive care and stayed at the University Medical Center until March of 2022." This means the child was only home for approximately one month before his death on April 1, 2022, which is a remarkably short window. Additionally, the news article describes a witness who "overheard Stano and Bellow talking to someone over the phone blaming each other. Bello told someone 'He didn't do it, I did it'" and also "heard Bello tell someone that Stano 'did it' but she would take the blame so Stano could raise his other children." Furthermore, both parents ultimately secured plea deals for second-degree murder with 10-year minimum sentences, which the law firm article characterizes as a "favorable deal" given the severity of the case. The fatality report also documents six prior CPS contacts dating back to 2018, including a substantiated neglect allegation in 2019 that led to court-ordered supervision, which was terminated in April 2021 — less than a year before this child's death.
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