Five-month-old Aitana Ampudia Aguilar died on October 14, 2022, from injuries sustained while in the care of her babysitter, Paulina Carmona-Simbron, 47, at the babysitter's home in Taylorsville, Utah. On October 13, 911 was called after the infant became unresponsive. Doctors at Primary Children's Hospital found severe tearing in the brain and severe retinal hemorrhaging consistent with shaken baby syndrome, caused by violent physical action shortly before the 911 call. The infant was resuscitated by paramedics but died the next day. The babysitter was unlicensed, had no formal childcare training, and had only babysat the child four times prior. A prior incident involving a bruise on the baby's cheek was later determined by a doctor to be inconsistent with the babysitter's explanation and suggestive of physical abuse. Carmona-Simbron was charged with first-degree felony murder and held without bail.
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)
Document 1 (NY Post) states doctors said Aitana's brain was torn by "some violent physical action" like shaking shortly before the 911 call. The babysitter demonstrated with a doll handling it "in a fashion that resembled violent and harsh movement." Document 3 (KSL) lists the method of death as "Beating." These indicate 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?
Document 1 (NY Post) states: "A scan showed her injuries were consistent with 'shaken baby syndrome,' according to a probable cause statement." Document 2 (Fox 13) similarly states the brain injury "was an immediate result of severe and forceful motions ... consistent to Shaken Baby Syndrome."
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?
All three documents identify Paulina Carmona-Simbron as the babysitter caring for the infant at the time of death. Document 1 (NY Post) states: "A Utah babysitter was slapped with murder charges Friday after a 5-month-old infant died from 'severe brain tearing' sustained while in her care." Document 3 (KSL) describes her as "an unlicensed day care provider who was babysitting."
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?
Document 2 (Fox 13) states: "Carmona-Simbron was arrested on Oct. 14 for 'child abuse homicide,' then charged Friday with first-degree felony murder." Document 1 (NY Post) confirms: "A Utah babysitter was slapped with murder charges Friday." Document 3 (KSL) states: "Paulina Carmona-Simbron, 47, was charged with murder."
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
Several notable details emerge: (1) The babysitter, Carmona-Simbron, "did not have any formal childcare training and wasn't licensed" (Document 1, NY Post). (2) There was a prior concerning incident: "Aitana's parents told cops they found a bruise on the baby's cheek after she was returned from Carmona-Simbron's care in a prior instance." A doctor reviewing the bruise said "This injury would not have occurred from lying down prone, even if over an object" and that it "does, however, elicit significant concern for underlying child physical abuse" (Document 1, NY Post). (3) When told the baby would not survive, the babysitter only responded with "Oh" and "showed no emotion" (Document 1, NY Post). These details suggest a prior warning sign of abuse that was not acted upon, an unlicensed caregiver with no training, and a remarkably flat emotional response to the fatal outcome.
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