On July 15, 2022, a young Black/African American girl (reported as 2 or 3 years old across documents) was fatally shot at approximately 9:10 a.m. near 13th and Ring in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The child was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Police described the shooting circumstances as appearing accidental, and a 33-year-old Milwaukee woman was taken into custody. The child protective services agency substantiated maltreatment of neglect against the child's mother. The child's five siblings were deemed unsafe and were removed from the home, placed with a relative, and Child in Need of Protection or Services petitions were filed.
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?
The CBS 58 news article explicitly states: "Milwaukee police are investigating a fatal shooting that killed a 2-year-old girl Friday, July 15." It further notes: "Police say the circumstances leading up to the shooting appear to be accidental" and includes a police reminder to "secure and keep firearms out of the reach of children."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The 90-day fatality report states the agency "found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate maltreatment of neglect to the child by her mother." The news article describes the shooting as appearing "accidental" and the Milwaukee Police Department reminded "the public to secure and keep firearms out of the reach of children." Taken together, these strongly imply the child had access to an unsecured firearm due to inadequate supervision, constituting 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?
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 90-day fatality report states: "The Initial Assessment completed by the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate maltreatment of neglect to the child by her mother." The mother was the substantiated maltreater in the child'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)?
The 90-day fatality report states: "On April 18, 2013, the agency screened out a CPS Report." This constitutes a prior child protection report for the child's family, predating the fatal incident.
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 CBS 58 news article states: "A 33-year-old Milwaukee woman was taken into custody." Being taken into custody constitutes an arrest in connection with the child's death. However, the 90-day fatality report notes that "No criminal charges have been filed in this case," indicating custody but no formal charges.
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
There are two notable details. First, there is a discrepancy in the child's reported age across documents: the 90-day fatality report lists the child as "3 years" old, while the public notification (220715dsp-milw-1162.pdf) states "Age: 2 Years" and the CBS 58 news article describes a "2-year-old girl." Second, the official fatality reports (both the 90-day summary and the public notification) describe the cause of death only as "a serious injury" without any mention of a firearm or shooting, while the CBS 58 news article explicitly identifies the death as a "fatal shooting" and includes a police reminder to "secure and keep firearms out of the reach of children." This omission in the official reports obscures the specific mechanism of death and raises questions about transparency in child death reporting.
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