On July 8, 2022, a 1-year-old boy was found unresponsive in his portable crib by his father after the parents had left the child unsupervised inside the home for approximately 90 minutes while they used marijuana outside. Rather than calling 911, the parents drove the child to a local urgent care center that was not equipped to treat him, from which he was transported to the hospital. Medical examination revealed subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhaging, and traumatic brain injury, and multiple medical providers, including a child abuse specialist, determined the injuries were caused by non-accidental trauma. The father initially denied any incident but later claimed the child had fallen from a chair; however, medical staff determined such a fall could not have caused the child's injuries. The child was placed on life support, and on July 11 the mother made the decision to remove him; he was pronounced dead at 12:08 AM on July 12, 2022. The cause and manner of death remained pending at the time the report was written. No arrests or charges had been made, and both parents ceased cooperating with the investigation after the child's death.
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 fatality report explicitly states the parents left the 1-year-old child unsupervised: "lack of supervision in leaving the child alone in the home for 90 minutes while they used marijuana in the car." The father "went outside to spend time with the mother, leaving the child unsupervised inside the home." The mother also confirmed they "did not have a baby monitor, and no one was inside watching the child at that time." Lack of Supervision was substantiated against both parents.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states: "Multiple medical providers, including a child abuse specialist, reported suspicion that the injuries suffered by the child were caused by non-accidental trauma." The child suffered "subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhaging, and traumatic brain injury." Internal Injuries allegations were substantiated against both parents. Additionally, the father "reported he may have shaken the child when trying to wake him up." While no specific act of abuse was directly witnessed or confessed to, the medical determination of non-accidental trauma and the constellation of injuries strongly imply inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The fatality report substantiated "Lack of Medical Care" against both the mother and the father. The report states that a factor contributing to the child's serious injury and hospitalization was the parents' "delay in obtaining proper medical care for the child after discovering him unresponsive." Rather than calling 911, the parents drove the child to "a local urgent care center that was not staffed or equipped to provide the necessary care to the child while he was in distress."
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?
The fatality report documents that the child suffered "subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhaging, and traumatic brain injury" — the classic triad associated with abusive head trauma / shaken baby syndrome. Additionally, "the father reported he may have shaken the child when trying to wake him up." Medical providers determined the injuries were caused by "non-accidental trauma" and that a fall from a chair "would not have caused the child's injuries." While the report does not use the specific term "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma," the injury pattern and circumstances strongly imply it.
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 fatality report identifies the father as an "Alleged Perpetrator" with multiple substantiated allegations including Internal Injuries, Inadequate Guardianship, Lack of Medical Care, Lack of Supervision, and Parents Drug / Alcohol Misuse. The report refers to him as the child's "father" throughout, and the household composition lists him as "Father" to the "Deceased Child." Multiple allegations directly related to the child's injuries and death were substantiated against him.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies the mother as an "Alleged Perpetrator" with multiple substantiated allegations including Internal Injuries, Inadequate Guardianship, Lack of Medical Care, Lack of Supervision, and Parents Drug / Alcohol Misuse. The report refers to her as the child's "mother" throughout, and the household composition lists her as "Mother" to the "Deceased Child." Multiple allegations directly related to the child's injuries and death were substantiated against her.
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 states: "MCDHS gathered records which showed the subject mother was listed as a subject on 5 CPS investigations between March 2021 and April 2022 in the state of Indiana. The investigations regarded concerns for substance misuse, unsanitary living conditions, and child abandonment against the subject mother regarding the deceased child." While there was no CPS history in NYS, there was significant prior CPS history in Indiana regarding this same child.
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 explicitly states: "the father stated he then went outside to spend time with the mother, leaving the child unsupervised inside the home, and that he and the mother were using marijuana at that time." The investigation noted the parents' "lack of supervision in leaving the child alone in the home for 90 minutes while they used marijuana in the car." Additionally, "Parents Drug / Alcohol Misuse" was substantiated against both parents. The Indiana CPS history also included "concerns for substance misuse."
Notable Details
The fatality report reveals a notable interstate information gap: the subject mother had 5 CPS investigations in Indiana between March 2021 and April 2022 regarding this same child for "substance misuse, unsanitary living conditions, and child abandonment," yet there was no CPS history in New York State and no indication that Indiana's history was known before the child's death. Additionally, both parents ceased all cooperation with MCDHS immediately after the child's death — the mother moved out of state and the father retained an attorney — which prevented further investigation and the offering of services. The report also notes that the unrelated home member from whom the parents rented a room "was in the process of evicting the parents" at the time of the fatal incident, suggesting housing instability.
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