Aurora Decker, a 2-month-old girl, was found dead on January 27, 2022, in a pop-up camper behind a residence in Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The cause of death was hypothermia and methamphetamine toxicity. The infant had been living in the camper with her mother, Ashley Decker, and the mother's boyfriend, Robert McCachren, in what police described as deplorable conditions. The camper had limited heat from a propane tank and multiple unsealed openings, and outside temperatures were in the single digits. The baby was put to bed wearing only a diaper and a blanket, despite clean clothes being available in a duffle bag in the camper. Drug paraphernalia was found in the camper, and drug particles tested positive on the baby's items, including a pacifier. Both adults tested positive for substances including methamphetamine. The mother was charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of children, while the boyfriend was charged with endangering the welfare of children.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states the cause of death was "hypothermia and methamphetamine toxicity." Additionally, "Particles on the baby's items, including the black suede baby blanket, an infant hat, and a Mickey Mouse pacifier, tested positive for drugs." This indicates the child was exposed to and died partially from drug toxicity.
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 caregivers, both of whom had substances including methamphetamine in their systems, were responsible for a 2-month-old infant in deplorable and dangerous conditions. Being impaired by drugs while caring for an infant constitutes a form of inappropriate supervision. The article states "Toxicology tests for Decker and McCachren showed substances, including methampetamine, in their system."
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)?
The article states the cause of death included hypothermia. The child died in a pop-up camper with "limited heat provided by a propane tank" and "multiple unsealed openings, which allowed the cold air to enter, and the outside temperature was in the single digits." The cold outdoor elements directly contributed to the child's death.
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 article describes multiple factors constituting an unsafe sleeping environment: the mother co-slept with the baby ("She told investigators that she knew she was not supposed to sleep with the baby"), the pop-up camper had "limited heat provided by a propane tank" and "multiple unsealed openings, which allowed the cold air to enter, and the outside temperature was in the single digits." The baby was put to bed "in only a diaper and a black suede baby blanket" despite clean clothes being available in a duffle bag. State police described conditions as "deplorable."
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 article explicitly identifies Ashley Decker as the mother of the child and states she "has been charged with murder of the third degree, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of children." She was directly responsible for the child's care at the time of 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)?
The article identifies "Her boyfriend, Robert Eugene McCachren, 28" who "has been charged with endangering the welfare of children." He was present in the camper with the mother and infant on the night of the death and tested positive for substances including methamphetamine.
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 article states Ashley Decker "has been charged with murder of the third degree, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of children. She is being held in York County Prison without bail." Robert Eugene McCachren "has been charged with endangering the welfare of children" and "a warrant has been issued for his arrest."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
The article states that "Decker and McCachren were staying in a pop-up camper, with limited heat provided by a propane tank, behind a residence in the 100 block of Bentz Mill Road in Washington Township." Additionally, "Decker told state police that she had been living in the camper a few days a week since the baby was born." This constitutes a temporary and inadequate shelter situation.
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 article states: "Toxicology tests for Decker and McCachren showed substances, including methampetamine, in their system, the affidavit states." Additionally, "investigators found drug paraphernalia" in the camper.
Notable Details
A notable contradiction in the mother's account was uncovered by investigators: the mother claimed she did not have a change of clothes for the baby and put her to bed in only a diaper, yet "During a search of the camper, investigators found a duffle bag containing clothes for the mother and multiple clean outfits, socks, hats and gloves for her daughter." Additionally, drug particles were found on the baby's items including a pacifier, suggesting direct drug contamination of items the infant used. The boyfriend McCachren was a fugitive at the time of the article's publication, with state police actively seeking information on his whereabouts.
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