Kairi Medina
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CANDID ID: TX_22_1694
AGE
Infant
STATE
Texas
DATE OF DEATH
6/14/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Kairi Medina, an 8-week-old girl in Abilene, Texas, died on June 14, 2022, from physical abuse inflicted by her father, Raymond Medina, age 29. According to court documents, Medina was trying to get Kairi to stop crying, and he placed her face-down on a couch, spanked her, covered her body with a pillow to muffle her screams, and repeatedly put the pillow over her face five to six times while squeezing parts of her body, including her head. The autopsy revealed skull fractures caused by blunt force trauma, a large head contusion from multiple blunt force impacts, and broken ribs inconsistent with CPR. At the time of her death, Kairi was involved in an open CPS conservatorship case, and her sibling had already been placed in foster care due to separate concerns. Medina, who had been sentenced to probation for a prior family violence case just two months earlier, was charged with first-degree felony murder with bond set at $2 million.
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 news article states that Raymond Medina was "putting her face-down on the couch and spanking her," "covered her body with a pillow in order to 'muffle her screams,'" "repeatedly put the pillow over his daughter's face five to six times and squeezed parts of her body, including her head." The autopsy found "skull fractures caused by blunt force trauma, a large contusion on the head caused by multiple blunt force impacts, and broken ribs that were not consistent with CPR." The fatality report also confirms "Kairi died as a result of physical abuse."

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 news article states Medina "squeezed parts of her body, including her head." The autopsy found "skull fractures caused by blunt force trauma, a large contusion on the head caused by multiple blunt force impacts." This constitutes abusive head trauma inflicted on 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?

The news article identifies the perpetrator as "the child's father, Raymond Medina" and describes him killing his "newborn daughter." He was arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder. The fatality report also states the child was "in the care of her parents" at the time of 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)?

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 states: "Kairi was involved in an open CPS conservatorship (CVS) case at the time of the fatality. Kairi was in the care of her parents while Kairi's sibling was in foster care due to concerns for that child." The existence of an open conservatorship case and a sibling already placed in foster care clearly demonstrates a history of prior child protection involvement. Additionally, the news article notes Medina "was sentenced to three years of probation in April for another family violence case," further indicating prior family-related concerns.

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: "Abilene Police said Medina was booked on a first-degree felony murder charge and his bond is set at $2 million."

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The news article states that on the day of the child's death, Raymond Medina "was arrested on an unrelated family violence warrant" and further that "Medina was sentenced to three years of probation in April for another family violence case." These references to family violence constitute evidence of domestic violence by the parent/caregiver.

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 news article states: "KTAB/KRBC reports Medina was sentenced to three years of probation in April for another family violence case." This sentence refers to a prior family violence conviction that predates and is separate from the child's death on June 14, 2022. Additionally, he was also arrested on "an unrelated family violence warrant" on the day of the child's death, further indicating prior criminal matters.

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

The fatality report reveals a significant child welfare system concern: "Kairi was involved in an open CPS conservatorship (CVS) case at the time of the fatality. Kairi was in the care of her parents while Kairi's sibling was in foster care due to concerns for that child." Despite sufficient concern to remove a sibling and place them in foster care, and despite the family being under CPS conservatorship, Kairi remained in the care of her parents and was subsequently killed by her father through physical abuse. Additionally, the news article notes the father had a recent family violence conviction ("sentenced to three years of probation in April for another family violence case") and was arrested on an unrelated family violence warrant the same day as the child's death, indicating the father's violent history was known to authorities.

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