Twenty-two-month-old Myrikle Belin was rushed by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center from her Riverside Drive home in Nashville after Keith Swanson, 25 — the boyfriend of the child's aunt (her legal guardian) — called 911 at 8:24 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024, reporting she was unresponsive; she died shortly after arriving. Detectives observed numerous bruises to her face, head, and chest, and an autopsy revealed internal scalp lacerations, hemorrhaging, and a swollen brain, with the cause of death determined to be blunt force trauma. The aunt told detectives she had left at about 7:30 a.m. for a college class while the child was awake and talking. Swanson was arrested and charged with criminal homicide (bond set at $250,000); the DCS recording notes he claimed he found her limp and placed her on a towel to perform CPR, and that environmental neglect concerns (no running water, piled tobacco) were noted in the home.
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)
The MNPD press release states detectives "observed numerous bruises to Myrikle's face, head and chest" and that the autopsy showed "internal scalp lacerations, hemorrhaging and a swollen brain. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma," indicating inflicted injury.
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 autopsy described "internal scalp lacerations, hemorrhaging and a swollen brain" with cause of death "blunt force trauma" per the MNPD release, which is consistent with abusive head trauma, though the specific terms 'shaken baby' or 'abusive head trauma' are not explicitly used.
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?
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)?
Keith Swanson, described as the "boyfriend of the child's aunt" (WSMV) and the "girlfriend (the child's aunt)" partner (MNPD), called 911 and was charged with criminal homicide in the child's death. The DCS recording notes the boyfriend found her limp and that arrest warrants for criminal homicide were issued for the boyfriend.
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)?
Both the WSMV article and MNPD release state the child's aunt was her "legal guardian," and the child was living in the aunt's Riverside Drive home, indicating the child lived with a relative rather than her parents. The DCS recording notes the CM would "make attempts to locate and engage the mother and father," implying the parents were not in the home.
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 "Violent Crimes detectives this afternoon arrested Keith Swanson, 25, on a criminal homicide warrant," and a judicial commissioner set bond at $250,000. WSMV confirms "Police arrested 25-year-old Keith Swanson on Wednesday in the death of a 22-month-old girl."
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 DCS case recording documents significant environmental neglect concerns in the home where the child died: "ENN concerns were noted throughout the residence including no running water in parts of the home, piled tobacco and cigarettes and residue, and no scarcity of food." It also notes the boyfriend was "currently evading arrest," a search warrant was completed, and "The other adults in the home refused to speak with DCS or LE without legal representation." The CPIT team agreed to classify the case "ASPS" and the case was approved for closure, illustrating the agency review process.
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.