On March 20, 2023, B.B. (Brian G. Bond), an infant under one year of age, was found unresponsive, cold to the touch, and with blue lips in his crib by his mother in Federal Way, Washington. The mother called 911 at 7:40 a.m. Law enforcement found drug paraphernalia in the mother's room, which she shared with B.B. An autopsy toxicology screen came back positive for fentanyl, and B.B.'s cause of death was determined to be acute fentanyl intoxication (fentanyl poisoning). The manner of death was ruled undetermined. The family had an extensive history with DCYF, with 30 prior reports and ongoing concerns including parental substance use, domestic violence, and neglect. At the time of B.B.'s death, there was an open CPS investigation, and a Family Voluntary Services case had been closed by text message just four days earlier. Both parents subsequently received founded findings for neglect, though neither was charged with a crime in connection with the fatality.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states: "During B.B.'s autopsy a toxicology screen was completed. The toxicology report came back positive for fentanyl. B.B.'s cause of death was determined to be fentanyl poisoning." The ME report (WA_23_2646.pdf) confirms: "Cause of Death: Acute fentanyl intoxication." This constitutes a child drug ingestion/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)?
The fatality report indicates the child died of fentanyl poisoning while in the care of the parents, with drug paraphernalia found in the room the mother shared with B.B. Both parents received founded findings for neglect in the subsequent investigation. The report also describes the mother as often appearing "high or not fully alert" and frequently failing to engage in services. The child's exposure to fentanyl while under parental care implies inappropriate 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?
The fatality report states that "Law enforcement found paraphernalia in the mother's room that she shared with B.B." and that B.B. was found dead in the crib in this shared room. Having drug paraphernalia in the room where an infant sleeps constitutes an unsafe sleeping environment. Additionally, the report references prior co-sleeping concerns with an older child in 2016, noting the caseworker "provided the mother with a pack and play sleep space as there were concerns that she was co-sleeping."
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report states: "B.B.'s father had returned to the home at this time as well" and "both parents received founded findings" for neglect in the investigation following B.B.'s death from fentanyl poisoning. The father's presence in the home and his founded neglect finding imply involvement in the circumstances surrounding B.B.'s death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states that B.B.'s mother called 911 reporting B.B. was unresponsive, that "Law enforcement found paraphernalia in the mother's room that she shared with B.B.," and that the mother received a founded finding for neglect in the post-mortem investigation. The mother was the primary caregiver and the child died of fentanyl poisoning in the room she shared with B.B.
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 explicitly states: "Prior to the critical incident, DCYF received 30 reports on B.B.'s family. Of those 30 reports, 14 met criteria for CPS investigation or Family Assessment Response (FAR)." The report details an extensive history of child protection involvement dating back to 2014 with numerous investigations concerning the family.
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?
The fatality report explicitly references domestic violence multiple times. An ex-girlfriend of the maternal uncle "alleged she had been a victim of domestic violence in her relationship with the maternal uncle and the mother had assaulted her as well." The mother received "a founded finding for neglect for exposing [a child] to marijuana and domestic violence." The Committee discussion also identifies "complex issues of domestic violence" in the case and notes the mother "was referred for...domestic violence resources" and "participated in a domestic violence support group."
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?
The fatality report states: "The school was concerned the mother was having a mental health, medication, or substance use issue" in relation to the September 2022 report about the mother being described as "out of it" and non-responsive. Mental health is referenced as a concern, though it was raised alongside medication and substance use issues and was not confirmed or diagnosed.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states in the 2016 case overview that "the father had recently gotten out of jail but was not living in the home." This reference to the father having been in jail predates B.B.'s death and constitutes prior criminal history for a parent/caregiver.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report extensively documents parental substance use. The mother had a history of heroin use and was on a Subutex program. Reports described the mother as often appearing "high or not fully alert." There were allegations of driving under the influence of marijuana, marijuana use, and the father was reported to be using heroin. The Committee discussion extensively addresses SUD concerns, and paraphernalia was found in the mother's room after B.B.'s death.
Notable Details
The fatality report describes several significant systemic issues. The Committee learned the field office "had been functioning at a reported 50 percent vacancy rate at the front end programs (CPS, FAR and FVS) for several years," with most caseworkers being new to DCYF. The Committee noted this led to "fight or flight decision making and interventions that are incident focused rather than based on global assessments." Additionally, a September 2022 report that met CPS investigation screening criteria was overridden by "the local office utilizing secondary screening authority" and was not investigated. The FVS caseworker sent the mother a text closing the FVS case on March 16, 2023, just four days before B.B.'s death. The mother also failed to show up for a requested urinalysis test on March 15, five days before the death. The Committee found there was "too much reliance on urinalysis testing to confirm or disprove substance use" and that caseworkers focused on older children's behaviors rather than signs of the mother's substance use.
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.