unnamed girl
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CANDID ID: PA_22_1626
AGE
Infant
STATE
Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH
8/27/2022
MEDIA
Not Available
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
A 9-month-old female child died on August 27, 2022, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, as a result of serious physical neglect. The father found the child not breathing, trapped between the mattress and wall. The mother contacted emergency medical services, and the child was transported to the hospital with no pulse and placed on a ventilator before being pronounced dead. The investigation determined that both the mother and father had left the child unsupervised, which contributed to the injuries leading to her death. Four other children were in the home at the time. The family was previously known to child welfare, and at the time of the report, a criminal investigation was pending.
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 explicitly states: "It was determined through the investigation that the mother and the father left the child unsupervised which contributed to the injuries sustained leading to the child's death." This directly describes inappropriate supervision.

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?

The fatality report states that "the victim child was found by the father and the child was not breathing between the mattress and wall." A 9-month-old child becoming trapped between a mattress and wall strongly implies an unsafe sleeping environment, though the report does not use that term explicitly.

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." The use of "the victim child's ... father" implies a biological father, though the report does not explicitly use the word "biological."

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report names "the victim child's mother and father as the perpetrators." The use of "the victim child's mother" implies a biological mother, though the report does not explicitly use the word "biological."

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 indicates 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?

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?

Lives Cut Short