On November 14, 2022, Hayley Reanne Steele, 27, of Myrtle Point, Oregon, called 911 to report that a 10-month-old infant she had been hired to care for was not breathing normally and the child's eyes were not responding normally. First responders found the infant in critical condition. The child was taken to Coquille Valley Hospital, where a skull fracture and internal bleeding in the brain were discovered, and then flown to a hospital in Portland. Medical personnel determined the injuries were the result of abusive head trauma and were not accidental or naturally caused. Despite treatment, the infant died on November 16 at approximately 9 p.m. Steele was arrested on November 17 and charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and first-degree criminal mistreatment.
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 that medical personnel determined "the child's injuries were not accidental or naturally caused, and were the result of abusive head trauma." The child was found to have "a skull fracture and internal bleeding in the brain." These injuries constitute inflicted injury.
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?
The news article explicitly states the infant "died as a result of abusive head trauma" and that "medical personnel at the hospital determined the child's injuries were not accidental or naturally caused, and were the result of 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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The news article states the infant died after "an infant she had been hired to care for died as a result of abusive head trauma." Hayley Reanne Steele was identified as the person hired to care for the child, indicating she was acting as a babysitter or nanny.
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 "Steele was arrested and sent to the Coos County Jail in the morning of November 17 on charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and first-degree criminal mistreatment. The Coos County DA said charges were formally filed later on Thursday, and Steele appeared in court for arraignment just after 8 a.m. on November 18."
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?
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