A 3-month-old female child in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died on September 23, 2022, as a result of serious physical neglect. On the date of the incident, it was reported that the child was choking and emergency medical services were contacted, but the child was subsequently pronounced dead. The autopsy determined the cause of death was accidental asphyxiation. The child's mother was the sole caregiver at the time and was named as the perpetrator. The family was previously known to child welfare, though no services were in place at the time of the incident. A criminal investigation was pending at the time of the report.
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 death was "as a result of serious physical neglect" and that "the mother was the sole caregiver of the child at the time of the incident." The child was choking and died from accidental asphyxiation. The combination of the neglect finding and the mother being the sole caregiver when the child choked implies inappropriate supervision, though the specific nature of the supervisory failure is not detailed.
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states that the agency indicated the report "naming the victim child's mother as the perpetrator" and that "the mother was the sole caregiver of the child at the time of the incident."
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."
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?
Notable Details
The fatality report notes that "The family was previously known to child welfare" and that "no services were provided." This combination is notable: despite prior child welfare involvement, no services were in place at the time of the incident. Additionally, at the time the CPS report was indicated, the criminal investigation was still pending, leaving the legal outcome unresolved.
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