On August 20, 2022, police in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were called to a home near 95th and Sheridan after a 1-year-old child was found not breathing. The child was cold to the touch and was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed no signs of disease or trauma, but toxicology showed fentanyl in the child's blood, and the cause of death was ruled acute fentanyl intoxication. The child's father, 23-year-old Kwamonte Pope, and a woman had been driving with the child the night before, during which they smoked marijuana. In the car, police found drug paraphernalia including a cut soda can that tested positive for heroin and fentanyl, a digital scale, razor blades, sandwich baggies, and a marijuana grinder. A corner-cut baggie consistent with illicit drug packaging was found in the home. Pope was charged with one count of neglecting a child (consequence is death).
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The news article states the child's cause of death was ruled "acute fentanyl intoxication" and that "toxicology results showed the child had fentanyl in their blood." This is a clear case of a child overdose/drug ingestion.
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 news article describes the woman stating that she and Pope "had been smoking marijuana with the child in the car before falling asleep the night before." Drug paraphernalia including a cut soda can testing positive for heroin and fentanyl was found in the car where the 1-year-old was present. Pope was charged with "neglecting a child (consequence is death)," and the child died of acute fentanyl intoxication. The child was clearly inadequately supervised in an environment saturated with illicit drug activity.
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 news article states "A Milwaukee man has now been charged after his 1-year-old child died of 'acute fentanyl intoxication.'" The possessive "his 1-year-old child" directly identifies Kwamonte Pope as the biological father. He is charged with neglecting a child (consequence is death).
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 states "Pope is charged with one count of neglecting a child (consequence is 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 news article explicitly references substance use by the caregivers. The woman told police that Pope "experiments with illegal drugs" and "sells drugs to prostitutes." Both Pope and the woman admitted to smoking marijuana. Additionally, drug paraphernalia including a cut soda can with residue that "tested positive in the field for heroin and fentanyl" was found in the car, along with "a small digital scale, several razor blades, a box of sandwich baggies and a marijuana grinder."
Notable Details
The news article describes significant evidence of drug distribution activity in the child's environment, including "a small digital scale, several razor blades, a box of sandwich baggies and a marijuana grinder" found in the car, along with a cut soda can used as a drug-smoking apparatus that tested positive for heroin and fentanyl. The woman told police Pope "sells drugs to prostitutes." This evidence of active drug dealing and use in the immediate environment of a 1-year-old, combined with the fact that Pope was charged only with neglect rather than a more serious offense such as homicide, are notable details for a researcher examining child safety policy.
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