On the morning of June 26, 2023, 25-day-old Eleanor M. Carey was fatally shot with a crossbow by her father, Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, at the family's home in the Town of Colesville, Broome County, New York. The father became frustrated with the infant's crying and began arguing with the mother. He retrieved a crossbow, pointed it at the mother while she held the baby, and fired. The broadhead bolt struck the infant in the upper torso/arm and exited near her armpit before striking the mother in the chest. The father then removed the bolt, attempted to prevent the mother from calling 911, and fled the scene in a pickup truck. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene and the mother was hospitalized for her injuries. The father was located by police hiding in nearby woods and was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and first-degree criminal contempt for violating an active stay-away Order of Protection. The father had a documented history of domestic violence against the mother.
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 fatality report states that "the father pointed the weapon at the mother and child, released the safety, and shot at the mother while she was holding the child in her arms. The arrow struck the child's arm and hit the mother in the chest." Multiple news articles corroborate this, with the NBC News article stating "The broadhead bolt hit the baby in the upper torso and exited near her armpit before it hit her mother in the chest." This is a clear inflicted injury caused by a weapon.
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?
The fatality report identifies the father as an "Alleged Perpetrator" who shot the crossbow, killing the child. The household composition table lists him as "Father" with the role "Alleged Perpetrator." The news articles identify him as the couple's father. The fatality report states: "it was determined through interviews with the father, mother, and law enforcement that the father shot a crossbow at the mother while she held the subject child in her arms. The child was struck and died as a result."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report substantiated the allegation of Inadequate Guardianship against the mother, stating: "BCDSS determined that despite her years of knowledge of the father's violence and his escalating behavior directly related to the child's crying, the mother persisted in her decision to reside with the father thereby exposing the child to significant risk of harm." The mother is listed as "Alleged Perpetrator" in the household composition and the allegation of Inadequate Guardianship against her was substantiated.
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)?
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 fatality report states: "the father was charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal contempt." The news articles confirm he was charged with "second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and first-degree criminal contempt for violating an order of protection." The NBC News article identifies the father as Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, who was arrested and charged.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report extensively documents domestic violence. It states: "The father had a history of physically aggressive acts towards the mother, including an incident where the father put the mother's head through a wall." Additionally, "The father admitted to a history of domestic violence perpetrated against the mother and that there was an Order of Protection against him at the time of the death." Law enforcement records revealed "multiple domestic disturbance reports, including one for aggregated harassment." The news articles also confirm: "Proefriedt had a history of domestic incidents with the victim and an active Stay Away Order of Protection in place."
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states that a relative "expressed concerns about drug use by the parents, the father's learning disabilities, and the parents' relationship." While "learning disabilities" are referenced, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities are clinically distinct terms. However, in colloquial usage they can overlap, making this reference ambiguous.
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states: "The father reported having issues with his anger." The mother also reported that "the father had a short fuse" and that after the child was born, "the father became irritated with the child's crying and it would immediately set him off. The father would yell, throw things, and had broken the bedroom door." While these describe anger and behavioral issues that could relate to mental health, no formal mental health diagnosis or treatment is mentioned.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states: "The father had been charged in the past for violating the court order." This refers to prior charges for violating the Order of Protection, which are separate from the charges arising from the fatal incident. Additionally, law enforcement records revealed "multiple domestic disturbance reports, including one for aggregated harassment."
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states that "A relative was interviewed and reported... The relative expressed concerns about drug use by the parents." This is a reference to substance use by the parents, though it comes from a relative's concern rather than direct evidence or admission.
Notable Details
The fatality report reveals that the father had an active stay-away Order of Protection at the time of the death, meaning his mere presence in the home was a violation of a court order. The report further states "The father had been charged in the past for violating the court order," indicating prior enforcement failures. Despite this, the parents were cohabitating. BCDSS substantiated Inadequate Guardianship against the mother, finding that "despite her years of knowledge of the father's violence and his escalating behavior directly related to the child's crying, the mother persisted in her decision to reside with the father thereby exposing the child to significant risk of harm." The father reportedly "aimed it above the mother's head for approximately an hour as the argument continued" before firing, indicating a prolonged standoff. Additionally, the father pulled the crossbow bolt out of the victims and attempted to prevent the mother from calling 911 before fleeing. Notably, the fatality report found no recommended actions for local or state administrative or policy changes, despite the clear failure of the existing Order of Protection to prevent the father from living with the family.
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