A 3-year-old boy died on April 3, 2023, from a gunshot wound to the head at a residence in the 2500 block of Ash Street in Portsmouth, Virginia. Police determined that the loaded firearm had been left unattended and accessible to children. At the time of the incident, 20-year-old Jaquan Askew and two children were inside the home. Askew was arrested and charged with allowing access to firearms by children. Court documents described the firearm as having been left loaded and unattended "with disregard for human life."
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?
The news article explicitly describes a firearm incident. It states the child suffered "a gunshot wound to his head" and that "this firearm was left loaded and unattended with disregard for human life." Police recovered a firearm from the scene, and the arrested individual was charged with "allowing access to firearms by children."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The news article states the "firearm was left loaded and unattended" and Askew was charged with "allowing access to firearms by children." Court documents describe this as being done "with disregard for human life." The adult left a loaded firearm accessible to children, which constitutes a failure of appropriate supervision.
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 news article states "Police detained the boy's father on the scene" and the father gave statements to detectives claiming he was in the bathroom when he heard the gunshot. However, "Police confirmed Thursday that there were three people inside the home at the time of the incident; Those three were Askew and two children," which appears to exclude the father from being inside the home. It is unclear whether the father is the same person as Askew (who is 20 years old, making it plausible he could be the father of a 3-year-old) or a separate individual. If the father is Askew, he was directly involved. If the father is a separate person, his role is uncertain — he may have left his child in Askew's care with an unsecured firearm present.
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)?
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: "Police have arrested 20-year-old Jaquan Askew in relation to this incident and charged him with allowing access to firearms by children."
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 news article reveals significant discrepancies in witness statements that are notable for understanding this case. The father initially told detectives that "in addition to him and his 3-year-old son, two other people were in the residence at the time," but "police received a conflicting statement from one of these two people, who denied being present at the house." Ultimately, "Police confirmed Thursday that there were three people inside the home at the time of the incident; Those three were Askew and two children." This means the father's account of being inside the home using the bathroom when the gunshot occurred appears to conflict with the police determination of who was actually present, raising questions about the father's truthfulness and the actual supervisory arrangement at the time of the shooting.
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