Guinevere Humphreys
SHARE LINK
CANDID ID: TX_22_2265
AGE
2   years
STATE
Texas
DATE OF DEATH
5/29/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Two-year-old Guinevere Humphreys died on May 29 after ingesting prescription medications that had been left unsecured on a nightstand at the Killeen, Texas residence of her mother and her mother's fiancée, Marissa Hornbuckle. The child had been staying with her mother and Hornbuckle that week. Hornbuckle acknowledged keeping Zofran, Phenergan, Lexapro, and Naproxen within reach on her nightstand and that the pill bottle cap was not fully secure. Earlier in the day, Hornbuckle noticed white substance on the child's mouth but dismissed it, thinking the child had eaten toothpaste. When the child's father arrived to pick her up around 4:30 p.m., he found her in a deep, non-responsive sleep. The medical examination concluded that Guinevere died from the toxic effects of Ondansetron (Zofran) and Promethazine (Phenergan). Hornbuckle was indicted on a state jail felony charge of injury to a child by criminal negligence.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Both documents explicitly describe the child ingesting prescription medications. Document 1 states: "the child had possibly ingested Zofran (an anti-nausea prescription medication)" and "The medical examination concluded that Guinevere died as a result of the toxic effects of Ondansetron (Zofran) and Promethazine (Phenergan)."

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 documents describe clear inappropriate supervision. The news article states Hornbuckle "acknowledged that she typically keeps the Zofran and Phenergan (a prescription allergy medication) within reach on her nightstand" and that she noticed "Guinevere with some sweet smelling 'white stuff' on her mouth earlier in the day but did not think much of it (because) Guinevere is prone to eating toothpaste." Multiple prescription medications were left unsecured and accessible to a 2-year-old child.

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?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The news article states that "the child had been staying with (the mother) and Hornbuckle that week." The biological mother was present at the residence and shared supervisory responsibility over the child during the period when the child had access to unsecured medications. However, only Hornbuckle was indicted, not the biological mother.

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)?

Marissa Hornbuckle is identified as the child's mother's fiancée and is referred to with "she/her" pronouns throughout the text. She was indicted on a state jail felony charge of injury to a child by criminal negligence. She is a female paramour of the biological mother.

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 news article explicitly states: "Marissa Hornbuckle, 37, of Killeen was indicted on a state jail felony charge of injury to a child by criminal negligence following the death of a 2-year-old child who ingested prescription pills that allegedly had been left unsecured on a nightstand."

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 news article states that the nightstand "held multiple pills including Zofran, Phenergan, Lexapro (an anxiety and depression prescription medication) and Naproxen." The presence of Lexapro, a prescription medication for anxiety and depression, on Hornbuckle's nightstand implies that she was being treated for mental health conditions.

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

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

Several notable details not fully addressed by preceding questions: Hornbuckle described seeing "Guinevere with some sweet smelling 'white stuff' on her mouth earlier in the day but did not think much of it (because) Guinevere is prone to eating toothpaste," representing a missed opportunity to intervene. Additionally, the text notes that Promethazine "is a narcotic that causes drowsiness (and) it should not be given to very young children as it can cause severe breathing problems or death," highlighting that a particularly dangerous medication for young children was left accessible. Hornbuckle also acknowledged that she and the child's mother "do not normally have small children over at the residence," providing context for why medications were not secured — the child was a temporary visitor rather than a regular resident.

Lives Cut Short