Zachariah Cooke
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CANDID ID: TX_25_4365
AGE
Infant
STATE
Texas
DATE OF DEATH
7/27/2025
DEATH RECORDS (M.E.R.)
Not Available
STATE REPORTS (F.R.)
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
One-month-old Zachariah Cooke was found unresponsive in his crib on July 27, 2025, in a south Fort Worth home and was pronounced dead at Cook Children's Hospital from methamphetamine toxicity, ruled a homicide. His mother, Swanietra Cooke, 36, admitted to smoking methamphetamine, and police found drug paraphernalia near the baby's crib in a bedroom they shared with one of her friends. CPS had been aware of the mother's drug use since Zachariah's birth on June 3, 2025, when both he and his mother tested positive for drugs, but the agency allowed Swanietra to take him home under a safety plan that required a friend to supervise her interactions with the baby. That plan was not followed — the mother was not living at the designated residence, and the supervisor admitted the mother and baby were left unsupervised the night before Zachariah died. Swanietra was arrested on a manslaughter charge on January 12, 2026.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The news article states that "1-month-old Zachariah Cooke was found unresponsive in his crib" and "was pronounced dead from what turned out to be methamphetamine toxicity." The autopsy and toxicology report confirmed "Zachariah had died from drug toxicity."

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 CPS safety plan required a designated friend to supervise Swanietra's interactions with Zachariah. The article states the "unnamed friend/supervisor admitted to CPS investigators that Swanietra and Zachariah were unsupervised in Swanietra's bedroom the night before Zachariah died." Additionally, Swanietra was "not living with the friend who was her designated supervisor" as required, and the supervisor would instead bring Zachariah to visit her in a dilapidated home, demonstrating a failure of appropriate 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)?

The article explicitly states: "According to CPS records obtained by the Star-Telegram, Zachariah had amphetamines and either methamphetamines or heroin in his system when he was born on June 3, 2025. Swanietra tested positive for the same drugs, as well as cocaine, while she was in the hospital giving birth."

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?

The article states "a Fort Worth police detective found drug paraphernalia near the baby's crib in a bedroom Zachariah shared with his mother, Swanietra Cooke, 36, and one of her friends." The home was described as "dilapidated and dirty with a very smelly odor and flies everywhere." Having drug paraphernalia near the crib and sharing a bedroom with active drug users in a dilapidated home constitutes 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 biological mother, Swanietra Cooke, was directly involved in the child's death. The article states she "admitted to smoking methamphetamine" and was "arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to her son's death." Drug paraphernalia was found near the baby's crib in the bedroom they shared, and the child died from methamphetamine toxicity.

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)?

CPS was involved from birth. The article states: "Zachariah had amphetamines and either methamphetamines or heroin in his system when he was born on June 3, 2025." Following this, "CPS did implement a safety plan" and Swanietra "agreed to participate in CPS' Family-Based Safety Services." This CPS involvement at birth constitutes a prior history of child protection reports before the child's death on July 27.

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 article states: "On Jan. 12, following an investigation, Swanietra was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to her son'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?

The article states that "CPS records say she had an active arrest warrant for a parole violation when Zachariah was born." Having an active parole violation warrant at the time of the child's birth (before the fatal incident) indicates a prior criminal history, as being on parole requires a prior conviction. Additionally, she was in Tarrant County Jail "facing burglary and theft charges on which she was arrested in November" — charges that are separate from the manslaughter charge related to Zachariah's death.

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The article extensively documents the mother's substance use. Swanietra "admitted to smoking methamphetamine," tested positive for amphetamines, methamphetamines or heroin, and cocaine at birth, and later tested positive for benzodiazepines and methamphetamines. The article also mentions CPS "caseworker had attempted to get her into a drug treatment program" and the grandmother "alleged Swanietra's drug use went unchecked."

Notable Details

The article describes significant systemic CPS policy failures. Despite Zachariah being born with drugs in his system, CPS allowed the mother to take him home with only a friend-based safety plan as supervision. The CPS safety plan was not effectively enforced: the mother was not living in the required residence, the designated friend/supervisor allowed unsupervised contact, and the supervisor brought the baby to a home described as "dilapidated and dirty with a very smelly odor and flies everywhere." The article notes that "at no time did CPS staff believe Zachariah was in imminent danger leading up to his death." The grandmother had "lobbied to have Zachariah live with her or with her son and daughter-in-law" but CPS did not arrange this. Additionally, Swanietra had an active arrest warrant for a parole violation at birth but was not immediately taken into custody. The grandmother, Lisa Cooke, stated she is considering legal action against CPS and wants accountability: "she's not the only one who is guilty... they need to be accountable for this." The article also discusses the relevant Texas Family Code provisions for emergency child removal.