On November 28, 2022, authorities were called to a residence in Roland, Oklahoma after a report that a two-month-old child was not breathing. EMS pronounced the child deceased at the scene. The Medical Examiner's report, received in June 2023, determined the cause of death was accidental asphyxia, with contributing factors including methamphetamine exposure, bocavirus infection, and an unsafe sleep environment involving an adult bed, soft bedding, and bed sharing. The child's mother, Chelsea Denise Massey, 30, was alleged to have been under the influence while caring for the child and to have failed to provide adequate care. The child had methamphetamine in its system at the time of death. Massey was charged with felony second degree murder.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states "the child had methamphetamine in its system at the time of death" and lists "methamphetamine exposure" as a contributing factor. While the exact route of exposure is not specified, the presence of methamphetamine in the child's system implies ingestion or absorption of the substance.
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 news article states that "Massey was under the influence while caring for the child and she failed to provide adequate care for the child's health, safety, and welfare." Being under the influence of substances while responsible for an infant constitutes inappropriate supervision.
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?
The news article explicitly states that contributing factors included "unsafe sleep environment with adult bed, soft bedding and bed sharing."
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 news article identifies Chelsea Denise Massey as the person charged with felony second degree murder "related to the 2022 death of her two-month-old child." The possessive "her" identifies Massey as the biological mother, and she is the person charged in connection with 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)?
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: "Chelsea Denise Massey, 30, of Roland is facing a felony second degree murder charge related to the 2022 death of her two-month-old child." An arrest warrant was filed.
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 news article states that "Massey was under the influence while caring for the child" and that methamphetamine exposure was a contributing factor in the child's death. The article also notes the child had methamphetamine in its system, implying the parent's drug use directly affected the child.
Notable Details
The news article describes a notable discrepancy between the Medical Examiner's finding and the criminal charge. The ME report stated the cause of death as "accidental asphyxia," yet the mother was charged with felony second degree murder. This suggests prosecutors relied on the totality of contributing factors — methamphetamine exposure, bocavirus infection, unsafe sleep environment, and the mother being under the influence — to elevate the case beyond an accidental death to a murder charge. Additionally, bocavirus infection (a respiratory pathogen) as a contributing factor to the child's death is an unusual detail that may have compounded the child's vulnerability in the unsafe sleep environment.
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