unnamed child
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CANDID ID: VA_22_1599
AGE
Infant
STATE
Virginia
DATE OF DEATH
6/21/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On June 21, 2022, Fairfax County police responded to the home of Juan Oliva-Ruiz (age 19) and Shantica Tillery (age 23) after Tillery noticed their 11-month-old baby was not breathing. The child was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Investigators believe the child ingested a fentanyl pill that was left on the floor of the home. Both parents were charged with three felony counts each, including child abuse and neglect, involuntary manslaughter, and child cruelty resulting in serious injury. The couple's other child was removed from the home following the incident.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The news article states: "It is believed that the child ingested a fentanyl pill that was on the floor." The headline also references a fentanyl overdose death.

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 article states the 11-month-old "ingested a fentanyl pill that was on the floor," indicating a dangerous substance was left within reach of a crawling-age child. The parents were charged with "child abuse and neglect," which in context implies a failure to appropriately supervise the child or secure hazardous substances.

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?

The article describes Juan Oliva-Ruiz and Shantica Tillery as "Fairfax parents" and refers to them as a couple with "their 11-month-old baby." Both were charged with child abuse and neglect, involuntary manslaughter, and child cruelty. While the article does not explicitly use the word "biological," the language ("their" baby, "the couple") strongly implies Oliva-Ruiz is the biological father.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The article identifies Shantica Tillery as one of the "Fairfax parents" and notes she "noticed that their 11-month-old baby wasn't breathing." The possessive "their" and the description of both individuals as the child's parents strongly implies Tillery is the biological mother. Both parents were charged.

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)?

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 article explicitly states that both parents, Juan Oliva-Ruiz and Shantica Tillery, "are facing charges of child abuse and neglect, involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty resulting in serious injury" — three felony counts each.

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?

The article states that "the child ingested a fentanyl pill that was on the floor" of the parents' home. The presence of a fentanyl pill on the floor of a household with young children implies that the parents possessed fentanyl, which in turn implies substance use by the caregivers, though the article does not explicitly state the parents used fentanyl themselves.

Notable Details

The article notes that "the couple's other child was removed from the home after the incident," indicating the family had at least one other child whose custody was affected. Additionally, Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano stated, "We know that fentanyl overdoses are on the minds of our community members, and our office is working closely with law enforcement to prevent future tragedies like this one," situating this case within the broader context of community-wide fentanyl concerns in Fairfax County.

Lives Cut Short