N.H., an infant born in early 2022, was placed in a bathtub by the mother and grandfather due to a soiled diaper and left unattended. The mother returned to find N.H. floating in the water. Emergency medical services administered CPR for approximately one hour but were unable to revive the child. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was asphyxia (drowning) and acute fentanyl intoxication, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. The mother had a known fentanyl abuse problem, and drug paraphernalia including burnt foil and clear baggies of powder were found in the home. The family had previously been involved with CPS due to the mother's substance use at the time of N.H.'s birth, but the case had been closed approximately eight months before the death.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states: "The medical examiner reported to DCYF that N.H. passed away from asphyxia (drowning) and acute fentanyl intoxication." This clearly indicates that the child had fentanyl in their system at a level contributing to death.
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The fatality report states the medical examiner reported that "N.H. passed away from asphyxia (drowning) and acute fentanyl intoxication." The child was found "floating in the water" in the bathtub.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report states: "N.H. had been put in the bathtub by the mother and grandfather due to a soiled diaper. The referrer said they were unclear about who was supposed to be watching N.H." It further states that N.H. "was left unattended in the bathtub, and when the mother returned to the bathroom, N.H. was found floating in the bathtub." This clearly describes inappropriate supervision—the child was left unattended in water.
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)?
The fatality report states: "In February 2022, DCYF received a report that at the time of N.H.'s birth, mother tested positive for methadone and marijuana. The referrer said the mother reported substance use, including fentanyl, opiates, and methamphetamines, and most recently used approximately 10 days prior." Additionally, N.H. "was anticipated to be discharged following 96 hours of monitoring," indicating the newborn was being monitored for prenatal substance exposure.
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 fatality report states: "N.H. had been put in the bathtub by the mother and grandfather due to a soiled diaper." The mother was responsible for the child's care, left N.H. unattended in the bathtub, and had a "fentanyl abuse problem" with "burnt foil and clear baggies of powder located in the home." The manner of death was ruled homicide, and the cause of death included both drowning and acute fentanyl intoxication, directly implicating the mother's role.
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)
The fatality report states: "N.H. had been put in the bathtub by the mother and grandfather due to a soiled diaper. The referrer said they were unclear about who was supposed to be watching N.H." The grandfather participated in placing the child in the bathtub and may have shared supervisory responsibility at the time.
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 states: "In the prior year, N.H. and family were involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), but did not have an open case at the time of N.H.'s death." A CPS risk-only case was opened in February 2022 at the time of N.H.'s birth due to the mother's positive drug tests, and this case was closed around April 2022, approximately eight months before N.H.'s death in December 2022.
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?
The fatality report extensively documents the mother's substance use, including: "the mother reported substance use, including fentanyl, opiates, and methamphetamines"; "the mother had a fentanyl abuse problem"; her participation in SUD treatment and medication-assisted treatment; and "the mother acknowledged having 'slip ups.'" The mother's substance use history and recovery efforts are a central theme throughout the document.
Notable Details
The fatality report highlights several significant systemic issues. The caseworker assigned to N.H.'s case had only approximately six months of experience and received minimal post-training support: "he was able to shadow another caseworker in the field on one occasion, and his supervisor accompanied him in the field one time." At the time of the review, the caseworker had 55 cases. The Committee discussed a "workforce crisis" across DCYF offices statewide. The Committee also noted that "The mother may have benefited from additional discussion and planning related to keeping N.H. safe should she relapse," suggesting a gap in relapse prevention planning related to child safety. Despite identifying these systemic workforce issues and practice gaps, the Committee notably "did not develop any recommendations." Additionally, the CPS case was closed approximately eight months before N.H.'s death, meaning there was no active DCYF oversight during the period when the mother apparently relapsed.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.