On October 18, 2023, an 11-year-old boy was pronounced deceased in his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Medical Examiner's Office found no signs of trauma and determined the cause of death was controlled substance toxicity. The child had been living with his mother, maternal uncle, and three half-siblings (ages 6, 10, and 13). His biological father had no contact with him. Law enforcement conducted a criminal investigation, which was closed without charges. The child protective services agency found insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect by the mother. The surviving half-siblings were determined to be safe and remained with their mother. The family had an extensive CPS history spanning over a decade with multiple reports, all of which were either screened out or unsubstantiated.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states that "the cause of death was due to controlled substance toxicity," indicating the 11-year-old child died from 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)
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?
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 documents an extensive history of CPS reports for the child and siblings going back to 2011. Reports include: October 1, 2011 (neglect of half-sibling); November 11, 2015 (neglect of the child); February 18, 2016 (neglect of half-sibling); multiple screened-out reports in 2017 and 2018; December 3, 2018 (physical abuse of child and half-sibling); February 22, 2019 (physical abuse of half-sibling); August 24, 2022 (neglect of child and half-siblings); and additional screened-out reports in 2022 and 2023.
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?
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 fatality report reveals several notable details for researchers. Despite the child's death from controlled substance toxicity in the home, the agency "found insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect of the child by the mother," no criminal charges were filed, and "no service referrals were made" for the surviving half-siblings. Additionally, the family had an extensive CPS history spanning over 12 years with at least 11 reports (including both screened-in and screened-out reports), yet all screened-in allegations were unsubstantiated. The case was closed upon completion of the Initial Assessment even though three half-siblings (ages 6, 10, and 13) remained in the home where the child died from controlled substance toxicity.
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