On October 16, 2022, a 1-month-old male infant was found unresponsive in his home in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, and was later pronounced deceased. Medical professionals noted no signs of trauma; the autopsy report remained pending. The agency substantiated maltreatment of neglect against both the mother and the father. The family had multiple prior CPS contacts, including a report for unborn child abuse in April 2022 and a neglect allegation in September 2022 that was being actively investigated at the time of the child's death. No criminal charges were filed, and the criminal investigation remained open.
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)?
The fatality report states: "On April 4, 2022, the agency screened-in a CPS Report for Alternative Response regarding unborn child abuse." In Wisconsin, 'unborn child abuse' under § 48.133 is a legal framework specifically targeting habitual substance use during pregnancy. While the document does not explicitly say 'prenatal substance exposure,' the use of this legal term strongly implies it in context.
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: "The Initial Assessment completed by the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate maltreatment of neglect to the infant by the mother and the father." The infant was 1 month old and resided with his mother and father. While the report does not explicitly say 'biological father,' for a 1-month-old living with both parents, the natural reading is that this is the biological father.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states: "The Initial Assessment completed by the agency found a preponderance of the evidence to substantiate maltreatment of neglect to the infant by the mother and the father." The infant was 1 month old and resided with his mother. While the report does not explicitly say 'biological mother,' the context strongly implies this 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 multiple prior CPS reports: "On September 12, 2022, the agency screened-in a CPS report alleging neglect to the infant by the mother." "On April 4, 2022, the agency screened-in a CPS Report for Alternative Response regarding unborn child abuse." "On March 28, 2022, the agency screened-in a Services Report." "On October 4, 2022, the agency screened-out a Services Report." These all precede or are concurrent with the October 16, 2022 death.
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?
The fatality report states: "On April 4, 2022, the agency screened-in a CPS Report for Alternative Response regarding unborn child abuse." In Wisconsin, the 'unborn child abuse' legal framework under § 48.133 is specifically directed at habitual lack of self-control in the use of alcohol, controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs during pregnancy. While the report does not explicitly name 'substance use,' the invocation of this legal concept strongly implies substance use by the mother during pregnancy.
Notable Details
The fatality report reveals several notable systemic details: (1) The agency had an open CPS investigation at the time of the infant's death — "At the time of the incident, the agency was assessing the September 12, 2022 CPS Report. The last contact by the agency was a home visit with the mother and father on October 14, 2022" — just two days before the death. (2) Despite substantiating neglect against both parents, the agency closed the case with no service referrals: "The agency closed the case upon completion of the Initial Assessment, and no service referrals were made." (3) Multiple CPS reports were filed in the seven months prior to the child's death, including an unborn child abuse report, yet the family was never connected to services.
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