On October 3, 2023, 22-year-old Kelvin Blaylock Jr. called 911 from an Ireland Street residence in Nashville, Tennessee, reporting he had woken to find his 23-month-old son, Kashton "Kash" Blaylock, unresponsive. The child's mother had earlier dropped him and his older sibling off in the father's care while she went to work. Kashton was transported to Centennial Medical Center and pronounced dead. An autopsy determined the cause of death was the toxic effects of fentanyl and metonitazene. During an interview, the father admitted to using heroin about two hours before finding his son unresponsive on the couch and said he did not know how the toddler accessed the drugs. After a three-month investigation, Blaylock—already jailed on unrelated failure-to-appear charges—was charged with criminal homicide and aggravated child neglect, and DCS classified the case as an abuse death of a drug-exposed child.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The MNPD release states "An autopsy determined that the cause of death was due to toxic effects of fentanyl and metonitazene." The DCS report states "The child ingested fentanyl and died."
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)?
NewsChannel5 reports the father "admitted to getting high when the kids were there" and "didn't know how the little boy gained access to the drugs," and police report he "admitted to using heroin two hours before finding his son unresponsive," indicating the toddler accessed lethal drugs while in his father's care, reflecting 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?
The MNPD release states the warrants were issued "against the boy's father, Kelvin Blaylock Jr.," who was caring for the child and admitted to using heroin two hours before finding his son unresponsive; he was charged with criminal homicide and aggravated child neglect.
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?
The MNPD release states "criminal homicide and aggravated child neglect warrants being issued today against the boy's father, Kelvin Blaylock Jr." The DCS report notes "The father was arrested and charged" with HOMICIDE, CRIMINAL and CHILD NEGLECT, AGGRAVATED.
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?
The DCS report lists prior charges separate from this incident: "11/7/20 Possession or Casual Exchange-Misdemeanor, Theft $2500 or More x 2-Felony; 4/16/21 Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle-Felony, Reckless Driving... No Drivers License..." indicating prior criminal history predating the fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Police report Blaylock "admitted to using heroin two hours before finding his son unresponsive," and the DCS report references the father's "continued drug use."
Notable Details
The DCS report documents that the Child Protective Investigative Team reached "a finding of ASPS for Abuse Death and Drug Exposed Child," and that DCS continued monthly contact with the surviving sibling (a 3-4 year old brother) until case closure. The mother told DCS she "does not have any intention to allow" the father around the surviving child "because of his continued drug use and criminal activity." These details about the DCS case handling and protection of the surviving sibling provide context beyond the preceding questions.
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