Age: Child – Page 6 – Disability Day of Mourning

Kendrick Lee

Name: Kendrick Lee.
Died: October 4, 2021 (Body found; died November 20, 2020).
Age at death: 8.
Cause of death: Multiple blunt force injuries.
Location: Houston, Texas, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Kendrick lived in an apartment with his siblings, aged 7, 10, and 15, two of whom were also autistic. When his 15-year-old brother called emergency services, begging for help and saying that his brother was dead in the house with him, police arrived to find the children starving, the ten-year-old with broken bones, and Kendrick’s body, which had been there for nearly a year. Neighbors say they had been giving the 15-year-old food, but were not aware that he had apparently been living alone with his siblings. After Kendrick’s brothers told police that his stepfather had beaten Kendrick to death, Kendrick’s parents were arrested.

Case Status:
Brian W. Coulter (Mother’s boyfriend), charged with murder.
Gloria Y. Williams (Mother), charged with injury to a child by omission and tampering with evidence.

Sources:
Horror house investigators vow to get justice for 8-year-old whose skeletal remains were found
Family members said they had no idea children were living in apartment with their brother’s decaying body
Autism Memorial: Kendrick Lee
Houston mom and boyfriend indicted for murder of her 8-year-old son
As partner’s family speaks out, a shackled Brian Coulter is pictured in court after ‘beating autistic youngster to death in hell house.’ » Brinkwire
Gloria Williams silently watched Brian Coulter beat non-verbal, autistic son to death
PHOTOS: Adorable ‘Mostly Non-Verbal’ Boy Found Dead in Apartment with Siblings, Mom’s Boyfriend Charged with Murder
Mother of abandoned kids did not report death because she was afraid, court records say
Felony charges filed against a woman and her boyfriend in the death of the woman’s child
Mom Arrested, Boyfriend Charged With Murder for Abandoned Kids Living With Decomposing Body of 8-year-old Brother

James Lewis

Name: James Rashard Lewis.
Died: September 29, 2021.
Age at death: 10.
Cause of death: Throat cut.
Location: Waco, Texas, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
James was found dead at home, with his throat cut. His father, who police say was covered in blood and attempted to evade arrest, was charged with murder.

Neighbors often saw James running back and forth in the hallways and up and down the steps of their apartment complex.

Case Status:
Bronchae Defraunce Lewis (Father), charged with capital murder, found not guilty by reason of insanity; to be evaluated for 100 days at a state mental institution; case to be reviewed yearly.

Sources:
Waco man charged in death of autistic son found not guilty by reason of insanity
Waco man indicted in September death of 10-year-old son
Waco 10-year-old slain Wednesday identified
Affidavit details how Waco man allegedly murdered 10-year-old son
Waco man charged in brutal killing of autistic son regains competency to stand trial
Waco man charged in brutal killing of autistic son regains competency to stand trial

Unknown Boy

No Photo Unknown Boy.
Died: September 15, 2021.
Age at death: Child.
Cause of death: Acetaminophen/dipenhydramine intoxication.
Location: Weston, Florida, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
This boy, whose name has not been released, was found emaciated, covered in bedsores, and unresponsive, and could not be revived. A post-mortem examination established that he had died from poisoning with over-the-counter medicines. Police believe the boy’s death was a deliberate act.

Case Status:
Lashawn Hampton (Caregiver), charged with first-degree murder.

Sources:
Woman Facing Murder Charge in Boy’s Death at Weston Home: BSO
Weston Woman Charged With First Degree Murder After Bedridden Neglected Juvenile Found Dead
Weston woman arrested months after child found dead in her home, deputies say
Florida Woman from Private Community Accused of Murdering ‘Bedridden’ Boy with Lethal Dose of Over-the-Counter Drugs
WESTON WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER

Najir Diehl

Name: Najir William Diehl.
Died: September 5, 2021.
Age at death: 11.
Cause of death: Methanol poisoning.
Location: East Fairfield Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Mobility impaired; unable to walk independently.

Details:
Najir’s mother is accused of killing him by feeding him a cup of windshield washer fluid. He was found dead at his home, and poison was detected in his blood.

In his obituary, Najir is remembered as someone who “…had a passion for life. His bus trips to school and his bus drivers made him very happy. He also loved to eat, go swimming, read books, and the dogs and cats at his home.”

Case Status:
Mary Eileen Diehl (Mother), charged with criminal homicide, pleaded no-contest to third-degree murder, sentenced to 10 to 20 years.

Sources:
Cochranton-area woman gets 10 to 20 years in child poisoning case
Crawford woman pleads no-contest to 3rd-degree murder in adopted son’s poisoning in 2021
Trial moved to March for Crawford woman charged in poisoning of 11-year-old adopted son
Trial for alleged poisoning is postponed until March
Trial date uncertain for Crawford woman charged in boy’s fatal poisoning
Woman charged with killing disabled son had him drink washer fluid to “free him”: Police
Woman accused of fatally poisoning adopted son
State police charge Crawford County woman in poisoning death of 11-year-old adopted son
Najir William Diehl Obituary

Mason Weston

No Photo
Name: Mason Joe Weston.
Died: August 7, 2021.
Age at death: 11.
Cause of death: Homicide; battered child.
Location: Fergus Falls, Minnesota, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
When Mason was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, his attacker initially said he had fallen, but eventually told police that he had slammed Mason’s head against the wall and kicked him. Mason died in the hospital. His killer admitted that he had become angry at the boy for not washing the dishes.

Case Status:
Reggie Bethel (Mother’s boyfriend), pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 8 years 4 months to 12 1/2 years.

Source:
Otter Tail County man sentenced for beating death of boy with autism
Mason Joe Weston
Fergus Falls man charged with murdering autistic boy by slamming head into wall numerous times

Rudransh and Devansh Shankar

No Photo Name: Rudransh Shankar.
Age at death: 6.
Disability: Kidney disease.

Name: Devansh Shankar.
Age at death: 4.
Disability: Unspecified health problems.

Died: August 6, 2021.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Sangareddy, Telangana, India.

Details:
On the day of their deaths, brothers Rudransh and Devansh didn’t want to take their medication, according to their mother. Angered, their mother allegedly strangled them to death before jumping into a lake. She was rescued by fishermen and arrested.

Case Status:
Jyotsna (Mother), arrested.

Source:
Upset with kids illness, mother strangles them in Telangana’s Sangareddy | Hyderabad News – Times of India
Telangana: Upset with their illness, mom kills two sons in Sangareddy | Hyderabad News – Times of India
Woman strangles two children to death, later jumps into stream in Sangareddy
Telangana: Disturbed over sons’ chronic illness, woman strangles them to death, then attempts suicide

Zoey Chafer

Name: Zoey Elizabeth Chafer.
Died: July 28, 2021.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Ethanol poisoning.
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
Zoey, who ate through a feeding tube, died from acute alcohol poisoning. Police, who arrested her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, say that Zoey was killed with alcohol administered through her feeding tube.

Zoey’s obituary says she “enjoyed watching Sponge Bob Square Pants; laying in the sun, going on walks, watching her sister play, and listening to music.”

Case Status:
Domenic Falkner (Mother’s partner), charged with first-degree intentional homicide, physical abuse of a child, and chronic neglect of a child.
Samantha Smith (Mother), charged with chronic neglect of a child and physical abuse of a child.

Sources:
Couple Charged in Death of Special Needs Child Whose Blood Alcohol Level Was More Than Seven Times the Legal Limit
Criminal Charges Filed Against Couple In Death Of 4-Year-Old | Recent News
Hayward couple charged with homicide, neglect, abuse in 4-year-old’s death; BAC at ‘lethal’ level
Hayward, WI couple charged with homicide in death of 4-year-old
Zoey Elizabeth Chafer Obituary

Kaysen Blackshear

Name: Kaysen Blackshear.
Died: July 19, 2021.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Medical neglect.
Location: Springdale, Ohio, USA.
Disability: A genetic disorder that causes seizures and developmental delay.

Details:
Kaysen was brought to the hospital with brain swelling, injuries to her face and back, and a chipped tooth. Her mother allegedly delayed seeking medical help for her for some time before she finally called for an ambulance. Kaysen died in the hospital. Police say her mother admitted to withholding food, water, and medical care in the hope that Kaysen would die.

Kaysen was active and inquisitive and would chew on anything she could get her hands on.

Case Status:
Bryce Foster (Mother), pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, sentenced to 3 years.

Source:
Woman sentenced for involuntary manslaughter in 5-year-old daughter’s death
Springdale mom charged in 5-year-old daughter’s death
Wish List: Single mother seeks car for daughter’s medical needs.
Police: Charges filed against mother in death of Springdale 5-year-old
Coroner: 5-year-old girl dies of apparent homicide, Springdale police investigating
Police investigating after 5-year-old girl dies from injuries
Wish List: Mother seeks vehicle to ease travel to daughter’s medical appointments
Springdale 5-year-old arrived ‘non-responsive’ and injured to hospital before death

Ayan Shaikh

No Photo Name: Ayan Shaikh.
Died: June 15, 2021.
Age at death: 8.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Disability: Global developmental delay.

Details:
Ayan and his mother Aliya were killed by his father, who then committed suicide. According to police, the couple often argued about Ayan’s disability.

Case Status:
Abid Shaikh (Father), deceased.

Source:
Woman, her son found murdered in different areas of Pune; police look for missing husband
India News | Woman-child Murder: Husband Still Missing, Multiple Probe Teams Formed
Pune woman-son murder case: Husband’s body found, suicide suspected
Pune Man’s Body Found After ‘Murder’ of Wife, 8-year-old Autistic Child
Pune: Missing man found dead days after his wife and son were murdered, cops suspect suicide

Aaliyah Artis

Name: Aaliyah Nicole Artis.
Died: June 8, 2021.
Age at death: 12.
Cause of death: Lung injury, malnutrition, poor living conditions.
Location: Xenia, Ohio, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Aaliyah’s body was found in her house, which was in such poor condition it was condemned. She died from a lung injury, complicated by poor nutrition and poor living conditions.

According to Aaliyah’s obituary, she “enjoyed watching cartoons, coloring, riding her bike, playing outside, and dancing with her sisters.”

Case Status:
Mary Artis (Mother), convicted of child endangerment; sentenced to 2 1/2 years.

Sources:
Autism Memorial: Aaliyah Artis
Ohio mom charged after 12-year-old girl dies from living in ‘deplorable’ conditions
Police: No evidence 12-year-old Greene County girl’s death purposeful; mother indicted for child endangering
Xenia police investigating 12-year-old girl’s death
Aaliyah Nicole Artis Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information
12-year-old girl found dead at Xenia home in ‘filthy condition’
Police investigating death of 12-year-old girl
Aaliyah Artis: Reforms called for in wake of Xenia child’s death