On March 18, 2022, a 4-month-old male infant was pronounced deceased in his home in Rock County, Wisconsin. The Medical Examiner's Office noted signs of trauma, though the autopsy report remained pending. The agency substantiated neglect of the infant by both his mother and father. The infant had resided with his mother, father, and 2-year-old sibling. A criminal investigation was initiated but no charges had been filed at the time of the report. The family had no prior history of involvement with child protective services.
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)
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 fatality report states that "the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate neglect of the infant by the mother and father." The household description states "the infant resided with his mother, father, and 2-year-old sibling." In CPS reports, "father" in the context of the household typically refers to a biological father unless otherwise specified (e.g., stepfather, boyfriend). The father's neglect was substantiated in connection with the infant's death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states that "the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate neglect of the infant by the mother and father." The household description states "the infant resided with his mother, father, and 2-year-old sibling." In CPS reports, "mother" in the household context typically refers to the biological mother. The mother's neglect was substantiated in connection with the infant's 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?
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 notes that the autopsy report was still pending at the time this 90-day summary was filed, and the criminal investigation remains open with no charges filed. Additionally, the agency deemed the surviving 2-year-old sibling unsafe and initiated a protective plan that "subsequently transitioned to an in-home safety plan with the mother and father," meaning the sibling remained in the home with the parents despite the agency substantiating neglect in connection with the infant's death. An Informal Dispositional Agreement was filed rather than a CHIPS petition.
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