A 5-year-old girl was found dead in her bedroom in her Johnstown, Pennsylvania home on October 27, 2022, by her sibling. An autopsy determined the cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The child's mother, Volaura Askew (age 27), had been using fentanyl and heroin along with associate Elyse Young in the days and hours before the child's death, while the 5-year-old and her 6-year-old sibling were present in Young's home. Albert Spicer had supplied the drugs and was using Young's home as a stash house after being released from prison. Young later transported Askew and her two children to Askew's home, after which the child was found dead. Askew was charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with evidence. Spicer and Young were also charged. The family was previously known to child welfare services.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states "the child died as a result of ingestion of an illegal substance." The PennLive article confirms "An autopsy determined that the child died of a fentanyl overdose." The WJAC article states "an autopsy revealed that the girl had died as a result of a fentanyl-related 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)
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 names "the victim child's mother as the perpetrator" and states "the mother was the sole caregiver of the child at the time of the incident." The PennLive article identifies her as Volaura Askew, 27, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and other offenses. The WJAC article confirms Askew "was accused of exposing both children to fentanyl and heroin in the days and hours prior to the 5-year-old's death."
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)?
The PennLive article states that Elyse Young of Johnstown "was also charged in the case." The article further notes: "Both Askew and Young used fentanyl and heroin there when the 5-year-old and a 6-year-old were in the home, including the night before the child's death." Young is a female associate/friend in whose home drugs were used and children were present, and she was charged in connection with the child's death.
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The PennLive article states that Albert Spicer of Johnstown "was also charged in the case" and that "Spicer supplied the illegal drugs while using Young's home – where Askew stayed with her daughters – as a stash house after getting out of prison." While Spicer is not explicitly described as a paramour or boyfriend, he was a male associate who supplied the drugs that led to the child's death and was criminally charged in connection with it.
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?
The PennLive article reports that "Volaura Askew, 27, turned herself into authorities Tuesday afternoon and is charged with involuntary manslaughter, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with evidence." Additionally, Albert Spicer and Elyse Young were also charged in the case. The WJAC article confirms these charges.
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 PennLive article states: "Both Askew and Young used fentanyl and heroin there when the 5-year-old and a 6-year-old were in the home, including the night before the child's death." The WJAC article states: "Askew was accused of exposing both children to fentanyl and heroin in the days and hours prior to the 5-year-old's death." This explicitly establishes parent/caregiver substance use.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the text. First, the charges resulted from "presentments approved by a grand jury" (PennLive), indicating grand jury proceedings were used. Second, the case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's office rather than the local District Attorney, as stated in the WJAC article: "The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's office." Third, Albert Spicer, who supplied the drugs, had recently been released from prison and was using Elyse Young's home as a "stash house" (PennLive). Fourth, the mother was charged with tampering with evidence in addition to the manslaughter charges. Fifth, the child was discovered dead by her sibling, adding a tragic dimension to the discovery.
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