A 3-year-old male child died on January 8, 2022, in Philadelphia as a result of physical abuse. The mother's paramour reported that the child was choking and brought the child to a police officer. The child was transported to a local children's hospital where he presented with bruises on the neck, forehead, and rib cage, a laceration to the liver, a bruised adrenal gland, blood in the stomach cavity, and hemorrhaging on the spinal cord. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The investigation determined the injuries were indicative of abuse, and both the mother and her paramour—who were the sole caregivers—were named as perpetrators. One other child in the home was placed in foster care. No criminal charges had been filed at the time of the report, and the family had no prior child welfare involvement.
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 "as a result of physical abuse" and presented with "bruises on the neck, forehead, and rib cage, a laceration to the liver, a bruised adrenal gland, blood in the stomach cavity, and hemorrhaging on the spinal cord." It further states "the injuries sustained were indicative of abuse." The bruises on the neck and the paramour's report that the child was "choking" also suggest possible choking/strangulation. These injuries are consistent with inflicted blunt force trauma.
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?
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 states that "Philadelphia Department of Human Services indicated the report on February 12, 2022, naming the victim child's mother and mother's paramour as the perpetrators." The biological mother was explicitly named as a perpetrator.
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 fatality report identifies "the victim child's mother and mother's paramour as the perpetrators." The mother's paramour is a male partner/boyfriend who was directly involved in the child's death.
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?
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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