A 5-month-old boy identified as TTR died on September 22, 2023, from homicide resulting from "undetermined violent means" in South Kitsap, Washington. Medics were first called to the home on September 16 after reports the baby was not breathing; his father, Michael Rivera, claimed he found the infant face down in his crib. Doctors at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital discovered several fractures to the boy's jaw, ribs, collar bone, and sternum in multiple stages of healing, along with abdominal injuries and injuries consistent with severe abusive head trauma. Rivera admitted to grabbing the boy, being frustrated, and being "rough," noting limited experience with newborns. Rivera and his wife were the sole caregivers. Rivera was arrested and charged with homicide by abuse.
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)
The news article states that doctors found "several fractures" to the boy's jaw, ribs, collar bone and sternum in "multiple stages of healing along with injuries to his abdomen." Additionally, "Rivera admitted he has 'grabbed' the boy, has been frustrated, can be 'rough' and that he has limited experience with newborns." These findings clearly 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?
The news article states that doctor Elizabeth Woods "told detectives she evaluated the baby and found injuries that were 'consistent with severe 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 identifies Michael Rivera as the father of the child, stating he was "charged Thursday with homicide by abuse for the death of his 5-month-old son." Rivera is described as a biological father and sole caregiver along with his wife.
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 explicitly states: "Michael Rivera, 35, was arrested Wednesday by Kitsap County sheriff's detectives" and that he "was charged Thursday with homicide by abuse for the death of his 5-month-old son."
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?
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