Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states M.T.J. arrived at the hospital with "life threatening, non-accidental trauma injuries." The AOL news article reports the child was brought to the hospital with "no pulse and obvious signs of abuse." The WMUR article notes "bruising and scars" on the child. The Boston25 article reports "obvious signs of abuse and traumatic brain injuries." Additionally, the fatality report documents prior inflicted injury in 2017 when "M.T.J. being hit by a 30lb suitcase thrown by the child's father."

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

The fatality report states that during the 2023 FAR assessment, "The caseworker asked that M.T.J. have a medical evaluation as soon as possible. The mother agreed with the caseworker's request." However, the mother repeatedly delayed providing medical records and "The assessment was closed on June 20, 2023. At the time of the case closure the mother had not cooperated with providing information regarding any medical assessment." The Committee further noted: "The case was closed without verification that the child received medical care/assessment and without discussing supports for the family surrounding the toileting and neglect identified in the referral." This, combined with the child's blood in the pull-up and urine-soaked clothing at school, constitutes medical neglect.

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The child's death was caused by abusive head trauma. The AOL article states: "the King County Medical Examiner's office in Washington ruled that the child died from 'acute traumatic brain injury' and the manner of her death was homicide." The WMUR article confirms the child "was also diagnosed with an acute traumatic brain injury." The Boston25 article also states the child was "suffering from an acute traumatic brain injury." The death was ruled a homicide, confirming the brain injury was inflicted, constituting abusive head trauma.

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

The fatality report describes the death of M.T.J.'s sibling in 2018: "the infant died while bed sharing with two adults and two other children." The medical examiner's report listed "external factors" contributing to the sibling's death, specifically the bed-sharing arrangement. This is a clear mention of an unsafe sleeping environment.

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

The fatality report states M.T.J. "was brought to the emergency department by [redacted] maternal uncle and his partner." Demiko Fox was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The WMUR article headline reads "Man accused in niece's death" and describes the child as "Fox's niece." However, the Boston25 article states "Police said Fox was tasked with being the caregiver by the child's mother and that there is no biological connection." There is a conflict between sources — the fatality report identifies a "maternal uncle" as part of the caregiving arrangement, and the WMUR article calls Fox the uncle, while Boston25 says Fox had no biological connection to the child. At minimum, the maternal uncle was part of the caregiving arrangement, and Fox — whether the uncle himself or his partner — was the person charged. The ambiguity warrants an ambiguous certainty level.

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

The fatality report states M.T.J. "was brought to the emergency department by [redacted] maternal uncle and his partner." The Boston25 article states "Fox was tasked with being the caregiver by the child's mother" and the AOL article refers to the "death of a child in his care." This collectively implies M.T.J. was in the care of the maternal uncle (and his partner) at the time of the incident, rather than living with her parents.

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

The fatality report states that M.T.J. "had recently regressed to using pull ups" at around age six, and the Committee discussion notes the mother's "children have significant developmental and behavioral needs." Additionally, M.T.J.'s sibling during a school interview "was not compliant with the interview" and "was unable to focus or sit still." While no specific diagnosis such as autism or intellectual disability is named, the language about significant developmental and behavioral needs implies neurological or developmental issues among the children.

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

The fatality report states: "Concern for the children was heightened due to all the children being born prematurely and having respiratory struggles."

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report extensively documents prior CPS involvement: "there were seven screened in intakes between 2015 and 2023" and "There were 12 screened out intakes during that same time period." It also details that "DCYF received six intakes between October 2015 and the death of M.T.J.'s then seven-month-old [sibling] in 2018. Allegations included in those intakes included neglect, physical abuse, and exposure to DV."

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

The fatality report states: "M.T.J. and [sibling] were placed in out-of-home care in March 2018." The children were returned to the mother in October 2020, and the dependency case was dismissed in May 2021. At the time of the April 2024 incident, "the family did not have an open case with DCYF," confirming M.T.J. had a history of foster/out-of-home care but was not in care at the time of the fatal incident.

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

The fatality report states: "During the investigation in March 2018, the mother's seven-month-old [sibling] died. The medical examiner's report stated the cause of death was Sudden Unexplained Infant Death with an undetermined manner of death due to external factors." This was a separate incident from M.T.J.'s death in 2024.

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The AOL article states: "Demiko Fox, who is originally from the Seattle area, was taken into custody" and "Fox faces a charge of second-degree murder in Kirkland." The WMUR article confirms: "Demiko Fox, 22, was arrested in Bow in July." The Boston25 article corroborates: Fox was "arrested Wednesday morning" and "is currently being held without bail."

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report extensively documents domestic violence. It states: "An intake in 2017 included lethal violence to include strangulation of the mother by one of the fathers and M.T.J. being hit by a 30lb suitcase thrown by the child's father. The father was arrested." It also notes: "the father continued to be violent towards the mother with the children present" and "M.T.J.'s father was arrested for violation of a DV protection order from 2017." The Committee discussion focused significantly on DV dynamics and the family's needs in that area.

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report references "concerns that were identified in the mother's psychological evaluation from the prior dependency case." While the specific findings are not detailed, the mention of a psychological evaluation and resulting concerns implies mental health issues were identified for the mother/caregiver.

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report documents prior criminal history for the father: "The father was arrested" in 2017 for DV including strangulation, and later "M.T.J.'s father was arrested for violation of a DV protection order from 2017." Separately, the AOL news article states that Demiko Fox (the caregiver charged with M.T.J.'s death) "has a history of violent behavior," indicating prior criminal/violent history predating this fatal incident.

The fatality report identifies several significant systemic and policy failures. The Committee found the region lacked a Child Protection Team (CPT), which they believed should have been utilized before closing the 2023 FAR case given the high risk of recurrence: "this specific region does not have a CPT." The Committee discussed the absence of a dedicated DV program manager within DCYF, stating "DCYF child welfare staff would benefit from having a dedicated program manager for DV." They also noted there is no policy specific to Safe Child Consultations (SCCs). Staffing shortages were directly cited: "in order to have the time to build those relationships child welfare units must be staffed. And that was not the case in 2023." The 2023 FAR case was closed without verifying that M.T.J. received a medical assessment despite blood in the child's pull-up, and the Committee stated the "pattern of neglect and risk of physical violence interacting with the high needs of the children created an increased level of risk at the time of case closure." The Committee also noted that the family's extensive prior history with DCYF "was not fully appreciated during the 2023 case."