On August 6, 2022, a 10-month-old boy was found unresponsive in a bathtub at Admiral Terrace Apartments on Chad Brown Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Emergency responders arrived at 10:21 a.m. and transported the infant to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The death was investigated by Providence police, Rhode Island State Police, and the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), which determined that maltreatment contributed to the fatality. DCYF noted that the department had previous involvement with the family but was not involved at the time of the incident. Esther Pacheco, 31, was subsequently arrested and charged with manslaughter and four counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child, while Anthony Nuccio, 31, was charged with one count of child cruelty or neglect.
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 turnto10.com article headline reads "DCYF, Providence police investigate drowning death of 10-month-old boy," and the WPRI article states police were called "for reports of an infant that possibly drowned in a bathtub." The KATV article reports the child was "found unresponsive in a bathtub."
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
A 10-month-old infant is entirely incapable of self-care in a bathtub. The WPRI article states police were called "for reports of an infant that possibly drowned in a bathtub," and the turnto10.com article reports the child was "found unresponsive in a bathtub." The DCYF fatality report states "maltreatment contributed to this fatality," and two adults were charged with cruelty/neglect. A 10-month-old found dead in a bathtub strongly implies inadequate 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?
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 DCYF fatality report states: "The Department had previous involvement with the family, but not at the time of the incident." This confirms a history of child protection involvement prior to the child's death.
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 KATV article states: "Online court records show Esther Pacheco, 31, faces a manslaughter charge and four counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child. State police said Anthony Nuccio, 31, faces one count of child cruelty or neglect." Both were arrested by Rhode Island State Police in connection to the baby'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 DCYF fatality report notes that "The Department had previous involvement with the family, but not at the time of the incident," and that DCYF's investigation "determined maltreatment contributed to this fatality." Additionally, the KATV article reveals that Esther Pacheco faces four counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child in addition to the manslaughter charge, which may suggest multiple instances of maltreatment or possibly multiple child victims beyond just the deceased infant. The gap between the incident (August 6, 2022) and the arrests (around June 2023, based on Pacheco's bail hearing date of June 14) also suggests a lengthy investigation.
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