Kahlani
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CANDID ID: TN_23_874
AGE
2   years
STATE
Tennessee
DATE OF DEATH
6/16/2023
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On June 16, 2023, two-year-old Kahlani was found unresponsive at the home of her babysitter in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where she and her twin brother Kaizen had been staying since June 13 while their mother worked. The babysitter's husband, 21-year-old Elic Smith, admitted that around 1 AM on June 16, after drinking heavily, he went into the children's bedroom when Kahlani was crying, grabbed her by the face, and threw her onto her cot, causing part of her body to hit the cot and her head to hit the concrete floor. No one checked on the children until approximately 10:30 AM when the babysitter found Kahlani unresponsive and called 911. Kahlani was airlifted to a children's hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4:08 PM. Medical examination revealed abusive head trauma, a subdural hematoma, skull fracture, and numerous bodily injuries consistent with inflicted trauma. The autopsy determined the cause of death was Blunt Force Injuries and the manner was Homicide. Kahlani's twin brother also had extensive bruising and was hospitalized for evaluation. Smith was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse/neglect.
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)?

The fatality report describes formal allegations of "Lack of Supervision" against the biological mother. The text states: "[Mother] stated to officers that she has seen visible injuries on [children] other times after they were in the care of [babysitters]." The report also notes: "It is unknown why [mother] still allowed the children to go back to [babysitters'] home." The mother admitted observing the babysitter's husband drunk when dropping off the children and had known the babysitter for only 3 months after finding her through a Facebook post. The children were left with the babysitter for multi-day stretches (dropped off Tuesday, to be picked up Friday).

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states that the perpetrator "went into the bedroom and grabbed [child] by her face and told her to hush and threw her back onto her cot. Mr. [REDACTED] reported part of her body hit the cot and the other part hit the concrete floor." The babysitter also admitted that "she does spank [children]." These are explicit descriptions of inflicted injuries including grabbing, throwing, and spanking.

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 fatality report explicitly states: "It has been determined [child] has abusive head trauma and a huge subdural brain swollen" and separately describes the child as "presented with numerous visible bodily injuries and bruises, consistent with inflicted trauma and abusive head trauma." Medical findings included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and blood around the surface of her brain.

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 biological mother was formally listed as an Alleged Perpetrator for "Lack of Supervision" in the DCS investigation. The text describes her leaving children with a babysitter she'd known only 3 months, observing bruises on prior occasions but continuing to leave them, and knowing the babysitter's husband was an alcoholic. However, the CPIT found: "There is not preponderance of the evidence to support the allegation of Lack of Supervision regarding AP [mother] regarding ACVs [children]. This case will be closed and classified as Allegation Unsubstantiated, Perpetrator Unsubstantiated." The mother's supervisory decisions placed the children in the dangerous situation, but the formal investigation found her not responsible.

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

The fatality report and news article both identify the perpetrator as the babysitter's husband who was caring for the children at the time of the incident. The fatality report states: "At the time of the referral, [children] were in the home of their babysitter, [Mrs.]. Also in Mrs. [babysitter's] home were [Mr.] (husband)." The children were explicitly "in the care of" both the babysitter and her husband. The news article identifies him as "The children's caregiver, 21-year-old Elic Smith." The Abuse Death and Physical Abuse allegations were substantiated against him.

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)?

The fatality report's Family Case ID Detailed History section lists "Screen Outs: [REDACTED]" indicating prior reports to the hotline that were screened out. Additionally, a TFACTS background check on "family members and other involved individuals" found prior DCS history including a 07/07/2008 sexual abuse case (involving different children, classified unsubstantiated), and CPS Special Investigations from 06/30/2017 and 02/05/2018 with unknown details. While the specifics are redacted, the existence of screen outs and prior investigations connected to involved family members indicates a history of child protection reports.

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 fatality report states: "Mr. [REDACTED] was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder and 2 counts aggravated child abuse/neglect." The news article confirms: "The children's caregiver, 21-year-old Elic Smith, of Tullahoma, has been arrested. He is charged with first degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. Smith's bond is set at $225,000." The closing summary also notes: "AP [REDACTED] remains incarcerated for the charges of first-degree murder and 2 counts of aggravated child abuse/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?

The FAST 2.0 Assessment in the fatality report explicitly scores "Mental Health" at 2 for both maternal grandparents and the biological mother, with the justification being the loss of their granddaughter/daughter from a murder that was still being investigated. While these scores reflect grief/trauma from the incident rather than pre-existing conditions, mental health of the parent and caregivers is explicitly referenced and assessed.

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report explicitly documents the perpetrator/caregiver's heavy alcohol use. The report states: "Mr. [REDACTED] reported on Wednesday night he cannot remember anything because he drank so much. Mr. [REDACTED] reported he started drinking approximately one year ago." The mother also reported: "Mrs. [REDACTED] husband, Mr. [REDACTED] is an alcoholic. She reported every morning she would drop the children off, he would be in the kitchen drinking liquor."

Notable Details

Several notable systemic and procedural details emerge from the fatality report. First, just 10 days after the child's death, the court returned the surviving twin to the biological mother and dismissed the DCS petition, with the judge not ordering "any further DCS involvement too include FSS Services," despite the mother having observed prior injuries and known about the babysitter's husband's alcoholism. Second, when DCS attempted monthly monitoring visits, the maternal grandparents refused access, telling the case manager to "get off of our property" and demanding she "come back with Law Enforcement or a court order." Third, approximately 9.5 hours elapsed between the fatal assault (around 1 AM) and when anyone checked on the children (around 10:30 AM). Fourth, the case remained open for over a year (June 2023 to July 2024) pending the autopsy results from the Medical Examiner.

Lives Cut Short