A 3-year-old male child died on June 17, 2022, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, after being found drowning in a hot tub. The child's babysitter had left the child unsupervised for approximately six minutes at the time of the incident. Emergency services were contacted and the child was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Delaware County Children and Youth Services indicated the report as serious physical neglect, naming the babysitter as the perpetrator. A criminal investigation was pending at the time the report was indicated. The family was previously known to child welfare.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The fatality report states: "the victim child was found drowning in a hot tub and emergency services were contacted. The child was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead."
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 that "the babysitter left the child unsupervised for six minutes at the time of the incident," during which the child was found drowning in a hot tub. This directly demonstrates 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?
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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The fatality report states: "Delaware County Children and Youth Services indicated the report on August 2, 2022, naming the victim child's babysitter as the perpetrator." The babysitter was directly named as the perpetrator responsible for the child's death through neglect.
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?
Notable Details
The fatality report notes that despite the death of the victim child, "the three other children in the home at the time of the incident remained in the home and no services were provided" following the safety assessment. This lack of intervention for the other children in the home after a child fatality due to supervisory neglect, combined with the fact that the family was already previously known to child welfare, raises potential questions about systemic child welfare practices.
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