Robert Blake Fish, a 13-year-old boy from Spartanburg County, South Carolina, died on October 8, 2022, weighing only 47 pounds. He had been diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe neurological condition causing epilepsy and developmental delays, which required multiple medications. His mother, Hope Fish, was not administering his prescribed medications; investigators found a bottle of seizure medicine filled five months prior that still contained 85 pills. The coroner determined the cause of death was malnutrition and dehydration, with withholding of seizure medication listed as an additional significant condition. When first responders arrived at the home, Robert was found left out on the porch. After an approximately 18-month investigation, three family members were charged: his mother Hope Fish with murder, felony child abuse, and unlawful neglect; his uncle Freddie Fish II with accessory to murder and unlawful neglect; and his grandfather Freddie Fish Sr. with unlawful neglect. The grandfather had served as Robert's primary caretaker when his mother was working, and the uncle was a trained caretaker who did not help.
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?
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?
The news article explicitly states: "The teen was only 47 pounds when he died" and "the coroner's office listed Robert's death as malnutrition and dehydration."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article explicitly describes medical neglect. It states: "The teen was supposed to be on multiple medications, but his mother, Hope Fish, was not giving them to him." Additionally, "Investigators said they found a bottle of seizure medicine for Robert at the home that had been filled five months earlier. The bottle still had 85 pills inside." The coroner also listed "withholding seizure medication" as a significant condition contributing to death, and the cause of death was "malnutrition and dehydration."
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 Hope Fish as Robert's mother and states she "has been charged with murder, felony child abuse and unlawful neglect towards a child." The article also states she "was not giving them [medications] to him."
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)
The news article states that "Freddie Fish II, Robert's uncle, is facing charges for accessory to murder and unlawful neglect towards a child" and "Freddie Fish Sr., his grandfather, has been charged with unlawful neglect towards a child." Both are adult relatives (uncle and grandfather) who were charged in connection with the death. The article further notes: "When Hope Fish was working, Freddie Fish Sr. was the boy's primary caretaker. Officials said Freddie Fish II was also a trained caretaker and did not help him."
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)
The news article states: "The teen was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome earlier in life, which is a severe medical condition that causes epilepsy and other developmental delays." This constitutes a neurological/developmental disability.
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: "Hope Fish, Freddie Fish II and Freddie Fish Sr. were all charged and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center on April 24." Hope Fish was charged with murder, felony child abuse, and unlawful neglect. Freddie Fish II was charged with accessory to murder and unlawful neglect. Freddie Fish Sr. was charged with unlawful neglect.
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 news article includes several notable details not fully captured by preceding questions. The investigation took approximately 18 months from the child's death (October 8, 2022) to the filing of charges (April 24, 2024), described as "a lengthy investigation." When first responders arrived, "investigators said they found Robert left out on the porch." Critically, the specific physical evidence regarding medication withholding is noteworthy: "Investigators said they found a bottle of seizure medicine for Robert at the home that had been filled five months earlier. The bottle still had 85 pills inside." This detail provides a precise measure of the duration and extent of medical neglect. Additionally, the child's obituary noted he "never met a stranger" and was "always smiling and making those around him laugh," loved Mickey Mouse, Christmas, and milkshakes, and was described as "the definition of an angel on earth," adding personal context to the systemic failure to protect a vulnerable child with a known severe medical condition.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.