An 11-month-old male child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was found unresponsive on March 13, 2022, and was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A toxicology screening revealed the child had ingested an illegal substance, which was determined to be the cause of death. Both the child's mother and father admitted to using the illegal substance. The Philadelphia Department of Human Services indicated the report for serious physical neglect, naming both parents as perpetrators. Two other children in the home were placed with a relative and services were provided. Both parents were criminally charged, and the family had been previously known to child welfare.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states: "A toxicology screening revealed the child ingested an illegal substance" and "the child died as a result of the illegal substance ingestion."
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 indicates the 11-month-old child ingested an illegal substance that both parents admitted to using, and the death was classified as "serious physical neglect." This implies the child was inadequately supervised, allowing access to the illegal substance.
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?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report names "the victim child's mother and father as the perpetrators." In child welfare reports, "father" typically refers to the biological father unless otherwise specified. While not explicitly stated as biological, it is a reasonable inference.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report names "the victim child's mother and father as the perpetrators." In child welfare reports, "mother" typically refers to the biological mother unless otherwise specified. While not explicitly stated as biological, it is a reasonable inference.
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 states: "The family was previously known to child welfare."
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 mother and the father had been criminally charged."
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 and the father admitted to using the illegal substance."
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