On May 23, 2022, Peters Township police responded to a report of an infant not breathing at the home of Jordan Clarke on Pleasantview Drive in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Clarke, the baby's father, claimed he tripped on a plastic grocery bag while making a bottle and fell with 11-week-old Sawyer Clarke in his arms. The baby was found unresponsive with a bluish hue and blood coming from his nose. He was transported and then airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he died on May 24, 2022. Medical evaluation revealed bilateral subdural hematomas, a midline shift of the brain, multiple layers of retinal hemorrhages in both eyes across all four quadrants, and possible fractures to both tibias. The UPMC Child Advocacy Consult concluded the injuries were "gravely concerning for physical abuse" and were inconsistent with the father's account of a fall. Clarke was charged with homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, and the Washington County DA subsequently sought the death penalty. The family was previously known to child welfare.
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 the child "died on May 24, 2022, as a result of physical abuse" and that "the injuries sustained were indicative of abuse and the father's account of the incident was inconsistent with the injuries sustained." The WPXI article quotes the UPMC Child Advocacy Consult: injuries were "gravely concerning for physical abuse" and "not consistent with the provided history." The child sustained subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants, and possible fractures to both tibias — all inflicted injuries inconsistent with the claimed accidental fall.
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?
While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the constellation of injuries described constitutes the classic presentation of abusive head trauma: the fatality report notes "a midline shift of the brain and bilateral subdural hematomas." The WPXI article adds "multiple layers of retinal hemorrhages in both eyes and in all four quadrants and possible fractures to both tibias." Bilateral subdural hematomas combined with multilayered retinal hemorrhages in all quadrants and long bone fractures is the hallmark pattern 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?
The fatality report states the perpetrator was "the victim child's father." The CBS News article identifies Jordan Clarke as a "Peters Township father accused of killing his infant son." The WPXI article states "Clarke, the baby's father, told officers that he fell on top of him." All sources consistently identify the biological father as the perpetrator.
Was a biological mother involved in 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)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "The family was previously known to child welfare." This directly indicates a history of prior child protection involvement.
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 perpetrator had been criminally charged." The CBS News article reports Clarke "was charged with homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child." The WPXI article confirms: "Jordan Clarke is facing charges of homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child." Additionally, the DA announced he is seeking the death penalty against Clarke.
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?
Notable Details
The CBS News article reports that the Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh is seeking the death penalty against Jordan Clarke, noting: "In his 10 months as district attorney, Walsh has sought the death penalty against eight other people. Clarke's case is the fifth involving the death of an infant." The article also provides notable context: "In Pennsylvania, there have been only three death penalty executions since 1976, none of which have happened in this century." This aggressive pursuit of the death penalty in a jurisdiction with virtually no modern executions, and the fact that this was the DA's fifth infant-death death-penalty case in under a year, are substantive contextual details. Additionally, the fatality report states the family was "previously known to child welfare," which may indicate a systemic failure in prior child protection intervention.
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