Child Fatality Summary

Child Fatality Summary Child’s Name: County: Manatee Date of Birth: Date of Death: 4/29/2020 Report Number: 2020-126076 Family Composition Chart Name Age at Time of Relationship with Deceased Child the Incident 6 months Deceased Child 6 months Surviving Sibling 6 months Surviving Sibling 2 years Surviving Sibling 22 years Mother 53 years Maternal Great Aunt 61 years Maternal Great Uncle Circumstances Surrounding Death On April 29, 2020, FSFN #2020-126076 was received regarding the death of 6-month- old who was found unresponsive in his Pack ‘n Play. The household consists of the mother, -22, her 6-month-old triplets ( , and and her toddler, -2. Additional household members include the maternal great aunt and uncle. Of note, the maternal great aunt and uncle raised the mother, and they identify as her parents and the grandparents to her children. The mother placed her sons to sleep in a shared Pack n’ Play in the early morning hours of April 29, 2020, and she fell asleep in bed with her daughters. Around 5:00 a.m., the mother fed and burped then repositioned him on his back, next to his brother. She woke again at approximately 8:00 a.m. to the sounds of one of the infants crying, and she checked her sons, discovering laying partially on his side/stomach and he was not breathing. She immediately picked up her son and ran to the grandparents’ room for assistance. One of the grandparents called 911 and the mother attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Law enforcement responded to the home a short time later and they continued CPR until paramedics arrived. The infant was later transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. When First Responders arrived at the home, the infants’ Pack n’ Play contained stuffed animals, a small blanket, and pillows; however, the family advised the Child Protective Investigator that these items are not routinely kept in the Pack n’ Play. Child Fatality Summary 2020 1 According to the mother, the infants were premature at birth and they remained hospitalized for several weeks prior to their discharge home. Additionally, was born with a heart defect. Records reflect that the infants received regular medical care by their pediatrician, and they were last examined on April 27th, two days prior to the infant’s death, for their 6-month well check. They all received vaccines at this appointment, and they were noted to be doing well overall. developed a fever soon after his pediatric appointment, which the family attributed to his vaccinations, and the mother treated his symptoms with infant Tylenol. Although drug screens were not conducted at the onset of the investigation, none of the adults exhibited behaviors indicative of impairment. A presumptive drug screen was conducted on the mother later in the investigation, and she tested negative for any substances. Substance use is not suspected to have played a role in the death. An autopsy was conducted by Dr. S. Utley with the Manatee County Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause and manner of death are both listed as Undetermined. The summary of autopsy findings and opinions reflects as follows: I. Normally developed male without mechanical injury or natural disease identified A. Clinical history of recent vaccination with fever B. COVID – 19 – swab negative C. Placed in infant bed with sibling, filled with adult bedding II. History of Prematurity A. Triplet birth B. History of patent foramen ovale III. Cardiac Genetic Testing A. Multiple variants of uncertain significance Of note, Chief Investigator A. Andrus authored a case summary. Per the summary, law enforcement conducted a doll reenactment with the mother. The summary notes “I was informed the pack-n-play floor was raised and two adult plush couch pillows and a stuffed animal were inside. The raised floor was covered by adult blanket folded in three and wrapped around it to create a soft surface. Detective Moreland explained that the decedent apparently had the ability to roll onto his stomach without assistance. The decedent was placed supine next to his brother atop a plush couch pillow after being fed by his mother four ounces of his formula and burped. When the decedent’s mother woke at approximately 0800 hours, she found the decedent prone atop the couch pillow with his heed turned to the left (face down on the surface), his right arm above his head, and his left arm down at his side. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office conducted the criminal investigating involving the death incident. Records reflect that there were no apparent signs of trauma to the infant’s body. No charges were filed, nor arrests made in conjunction with the death. Child Fatality Summary 2020 2 Based on the interviews and evidence gathered during the course of the investigation, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Child Protective Investigations Division closed their investigation on November 17, 2020 with no indicators of the Death and Inadequate Supervision maltreatments regarding the decedent, and no indictors of the Threatened Harm maltreatment regarding the surviving siblings. Other Children in the Family All of the children appeared well cared for and the home was appropriate. There were no concerns for the mother’s ability meet the needs of the surviving siblings and they remain in her home. The family declined grief counseling services and opted to engage in counseling services through their church. Additionally, the family has a strong local support system. Summary of Prior Agency Involvement with Family There is no child welfare history involving the mother and children. The mother was listed in prior investigations as a child; her prior history is not relevant to the death incident. ______________________________________________________________ _____________________1/8/2021 Mechellchell Young-Williams Date Child Fatality Prevention Specialist SunCoast Region ______________________________________ _____________________ Marla Timmons Date Family and Community Services Director SunCoast Region Child Fatality Summary 2020 3 .

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