A 1-month-old male child died on December 19, 2022, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The mother co-slept with the child while under the influence of an illegal substance, and the child was subsequently found unresponsive with blood coming from the mouth and nose. Emergency medical services were contacted and the child was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The death was classified as physical abuse, with the mother named as the perpetrator. The mother was criminally charged, and the family had been previously known to child welfare services.
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 states "the mother was under the influence of an illegal substance and co-slept with the child." Being under the influence of an illegal substance while solely responsible for a 1-month-old infant implies inappropriate supervision, as the caregiver was impaired and unable to adequately supervise or respond to the infant's needs.
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 fatality report states "the mother co-slept with victim child" and "the mother was under the influence of an illegal substance and co-slept with the child." Co-sleeping, particularly while intoxicated, is a well-recognized unsafe sleeping environment for infants.
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 fatality report explicitly states that Dauphin County Social Services "indicated the report on February 17, 2023, naming the victim child's mother as the perpetrator." The mother co-slept with the child while under the influence of an illegal substance, leading to the child's 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)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "The family was previously known to child welfare." This directly indicates prior child protection involvement with the family.
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: "At the time the report was indicated the mother had been criminally charged." This directly confirms the mother was charged in connection with 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 states "the mother was under the influence of an illegal substance and co-slept with the child." This explicitly references substance use by the parent/caregiver.
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