On March 21, 2024, at approximately 8:24 a.m., Warwick Police responded to 71 Frawley Street for a report of a homicide. The child's mother, 33-year-old Estefania Dempsey, reported that her husband, 33-year-old Seamus Dempsey, had shot their 4-year-old son, Liam Dempsey, with a handgun. Officers entered the home and found both the child and Seamus Dempsey deceased, each with a gunshot wound, indicating a murder-suicide. The father's 79-year-old mother, Ellen Dempsey, was also in the home but was safely evacuated by officers. DCYF disclosed the fatality pursuant to CAPTA, with a final finding determination made on April 3, 2024.
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?
The news article explicitly describes a firearm incident: "She stated that her husband, 33-year-old Seamus Dempsey, shot their son with a handgun." Officers found the child with a gunshot wound.
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)
The news article states that the mother "stated that her husband, 33-year-old Seamus Dempsey, shot their son with a handgun." A gunshot wound is an inflicted injury.
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?
The news article states that the mother reported her husband "shot their son with a handgun" and that officers subsequently "discovered the deceased body of a small child as well as an adult male. Each appeared to have suffered from a gunshot wound." The father, identified as Seamus Dempsey, was found dead alongside his son, and the reporting party advised officers that the "alleged assailant was still inside the home with a firearm." While the term "murder-suicide" is not used explicitly, the circumstances clearly indicate the father shot his son and then himself.
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?
The news article identifies the perpetrator as the child's biological father: "the juvenile was identified as 4-year-old Liam Dempsey, the biological son of Estefania and Seamus." The mother stated that "her husband, 33-year-old Seamus Dempsey, shot their son with a handgun."
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)?
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?
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