Charlotte Dreya Fowler, a nearly 2-month-old infant, died on October 15, 2023, at her home at 5 Rita Court in Belvedere, South Carolina. Her mother, 21-year-old Jordan Fowler, was accused of forcibly squeezing and shaking the baby throughout her life (Aug. 20 to Oct. 15) and striking her in the back of the head with a stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug while frustrated with constant crying. An autopsy revealed multiple right rib fractures and other injuries. On the day of death, Jordan reported checking on Charlotte around 9 a.m. while she slept in her crib, then going to sleep herself, and finding the baby unresponsive around 1 p.m. The great-grandmother was found performing CPR when deputies arrived, and the baby was cold to the touch. Jordan was initially charged with unlawful neglect of a child on December 14 and was subsequently charged with murder/homicide by child abuse, aiding and abetting. The Aiken County Coroner's preliminary investigation ruled the death a homicide.
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)
Multiple forms of inflicted injury are described. The WRDW article states: "Fowler hit the baby in the back of the head with a stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug while she was frustrated with the constant crying." Arrest warrants further state Jordan did "cause to be done unlawfully or maliciously bodily harm to the minor child by forcibly squeezing and shaking the child." The thestate.com article adds that "Charlotte suffered several broken ribs and other injuries."
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?
The WRDW article cites arrest warrants stating Jordan did cause "bodily harm to the minor child by forcibly squeezing and shaking the child." Additionally, the warrant states "Fowler hit the baby in the back of the head with a stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug," which constitutes abusive head trauma. The thestate.com article similarly reports the child was harmed "by forcibly squeezing and shaking the child."
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?
Both articles identify Jordan Fowler as Charlotte's biological mother. The thestate.com article states: "Jordan Fowler was identified as Charlotte's mother in the obituary." The WRDW article states Jordan was charged with "murder/homicide by child abuse" and describes her actions of squeezing, shaking, and hitting the baby.
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 WRDW article states: "Jordan Fowler was charged on Dec. 14 with unlawful neglect of a child. On Tuesday, she is now facing a murder/homicide by child abuse, aiding and abetting charge." The thestate.com article confirms: "On Dec. 14, Jordan Fowler was arrested on a charge of unlawful neglect of child or helpless person."
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 WRDW article notes that Jordan Fowler's charge was upgraded from "unlawful neglect of a child" to "murder/homicide by child abuse, aiding and abetting." The inclusion of "aiding and abetting" in the charge is notable, as it implies that another individual may have been involved in the abuse that led to Charlotte's death; however, no other suspect is identified in any of the provided documents. Additionally, the newly released arrest warrant reveals the specific weapon used — "a stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug" — with which Fowler struck the baby "in the back of the head" while frustrated with the baby's "constant crying." The involvement of SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) in the investigation alongside local agencies is also noted.
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