On October 27th, Brittany Michelle Hamilton called police to her home on Green Forest Drive in North Augusta, South Carolina, reporting that her 6-month-old daughter was unresponsive and turning blue. Upon arrival, police found a man performing CPR on the infant. First responders took over chest compressions but were unable to revive the child. Investigators determined that Hamilton had ingested methamphetamine and fentanyl in close proximity to the infant, and the child inhaled the drugs, which caused her death. Hamilton was arrested on drug charges on October 27th and later charged with Murder/Homicide by Child Abuse on December 12th.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states: "Hamilton ingested meth/fentanyl in close proximity to the 6-month-old and the child inhaled the drugs which caused her death." This is explicit evidence of the child being exposed to and ingesting drugs via inhalation, which caused her death.
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 news article identifies Brittany Michelle Hamilton as the child's mother and states she "ingested meth/fentanyl in close proximity to the 6-month-old and the child inhaled the drugs which caused her death." She was charged with Murder/Homicide by Child Abuse.
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?
The news article states: "Hamilton was arrested, October 27th on drug charges, she was then charged with Murder/Homicide by Child Abuse December 12th." This confirms an adult was both arrested and charged 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?
The news article explicitly states: "Hamilton ingested meth/fentanyl in close proximity to the 6-month-old." This is direct evidence of substance use by the parent/caregiver.
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