On October 6, 2022, an 8-month-old female infant was found unresponsive in her home in Washington County, Wisconsin, and was later pronounced deceased. The child resided with her mother, father, and three half-siblings (ages 1, 3, and 10). The agency, in collaboration with law enforcement and medical professionals, substantiated maltreatment of neglect against both the mother and the father. The Medical Examiner's autopsy report is pending, no criminal charges have been filed, and the criminal investigation remains open. The infant's half-siblings were deemed unsafe and were placed in a licensed foster home or in the care of their respective fathers.
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 maltreatment of neglect to the infant by the mother and the father." The report refers to him as the infant's "father" (not stepfather or boyfriend), implying he is the biological father. The existence of "half-siblings" in the household indicates blended family dynamics, but the man is consistently identified as the infant's father throughout the document.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states that "the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate maltreatment of neglect to the infant by the mother and the father." The mother is identified as the infant's mother throughout the report, indicating she is the biological mother.
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 documents two prior CPS reports: "On October 2, 2019, the agency screened in a CPS Report alleging physical abuse to the infant's now 3-year-old half-brother by his father. An assessment was completed by the agency, and the allegation of physical abuse was substantiated." Additionally, "On November 15, 2012, the agency screened-out a CPS Report." Both reports predate the current incident and involve members of the child's 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?
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 in 2019, physical abuse to the infant's half-sibling was substantiated, but "The case was closed upon completion of the Initial Assessment" with no ongoing services provided to the family. Three years later, the infant in the same household died with neglect substantiated against both parents. Additionally, the specific cause and manner of death remain unknown at the time of this report, as "The Medical Examiner's autopsy report is pending." The lack of ongoing services after the prior substantiated abuse finding, combined with the subsequent child death in the same household, may raise systemic questions about case closure decisions.
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