Omera Akinloba

Photo of a small brown-skinned girl with her black hair in braids and beads, wearing a teal coat with a flower on it.Name: Omera Anna Akinloba.
Died: April 12, 2018.
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Sepsis and pneumonia secondary to malnutrition.
Location: Oakleaf, Florida, USA.
Disability: Parents diagnosed her with autism.

Details:
According to a warrant for their arrest, Omera’s parents fed her a diet of nothing but French fries and denied her medical care. Omera died of sepsis. She was malnourished, dehydrated, and had a Vitamin B3 deficiency when she died.

Omera’s parents diagnosed her as autistic at 2 years old, but did not seek a doctor’s care or an evaluation. They also stopped vaccinating her, and kept her at home instead of letting her go to school.

Case Status:
Anna Akinloba (Mother), charged with aggravated manslaughter.
Aremo Akinloba (Father), charged with aggravated manslaughter.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Omera Akinloba
Parents charged in 2018 death of 7-year-old daughter
Parents jailed in 2018 aggravated manslaughter death of Jacksonville girl, 7
Anti-vax parents ‘starved girl, 7, who died with rash, sepsis, and pneumonia’

Susan and Daniel Gibson

Photo of a brown-haired, fair-skinned teenager in profile, head resting on his hand, wearing a khaki shirt.Name: Susan Gibson.
Age at death: 75.
Disability: Unspecified; wheelchair user.

Name: Daniel L. Gibson.
Age at death: 17.
Disability: Unspecified; special needs.

Died: April 9, 2018.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Reeds Spring, Missouri, USA.

Details:
Susan and her grandson Daniel were shot dead by Susan’s son, Daniel’s father, in a murder-suicide. Also killed was Cynthia Miller, 43, the girlfriend of the killer.

Case status:
Victor Gibson (Father of Daniel, son of Susan), deceased.

Source:
Daniel Gibson, age 17
Neighbor describes family who lived at Stone County home where 4 were found dead
One teen, three adults die in suspected murder-suicide in Missouri Ozarks
Four found shot to death in home near Branson West

Amanda Zriny

No PhotoName: Amanda Zriny.
Died: April 8, 2018.
Age at death: 26.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Lucas, Texas, USA.
Disability: Intellectual disability; limited communication and mobility.

Details:
Amanda’s father strangled her before hanging himself.

She often attended city council meetings with her councilman father.

Case status:
Don Zriny (Father), deceased.

Source:
Officials: Former Councilman Strangles Special-Needs Daughter, Commits Suicide
Collin County investigators: Dad strangled daughter before hanging himself
Officials: Ex-councilman found hanged, wheelchair-bound daughter strangled in Collin Co. home
Former city councilman hangs self after strangling disabled daughter
Severely disabled Collin County woman relied on father who strangled her in murder-suicide
Former Texas city councilman, disabled daughter found dead in home

LaBrawn Rankin

Photo of a small African-American boy, head tilted back and mouth open in laughter.Name: LaBrawn Rankin.
Died: April 8, 2018.
Age at death: 8.
Cause of death: Cerebral palsy, complicated by dehydration, malnutrition, and neglect.
Location: Mobile, Alabama, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability.

Details:
LaBrawn was left with his mother despite the fact that the child welfare offices suspected abuse or neglect. He was left in dirty diapers and suffered from bedsores. His death certificate states that he died from “cerebral palsy with malnutrition and dehydration”, and that “neglect contributed to his death”.

Case status:
Zedria Rankin (Mother), made a best-interest plea to felony child abuse, sentenced to three years probation and a suspended sentence; served with wrongful death lawsuit.

Source:
Local mother won’t serve jail time for child abuse charges in death of her son
Indictment of Mobile woman in death of special-needs child strengthens civil case, attorney says
Mobile mother charged in 2018 death of special needs child
3 Mobile DHR workers added as defendants in civil suit over death of special needs child
Wrongful death suit filed in 8-year-old Mobile special needs child’s death
DHR sued for wrongful death of a disabled Mobile boy

Abraham Cardenas

Photo of Abraham Cardenas, a little boy with olive skin and dark hair, smiling for the camera. He is wearing a red striped shirt and red pants, and is sitting on a scooter board.Name: Abraham E. “Abe” Cardenas.
Died: April 5, 2018.
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Stabbed.
Location: Sweden, New York, USA.
Disability: Learning disability.

Details:
Abraham was stabbed and decapitated by his mother.

He was a first-grader whose teachers remember his enthusiasm for school. He especially loved drawing.

Case status:
Hanane Mouhib (Mother), charged with murder, found not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect; in state custody.

Source:
Friends and loved ones of murdered Sweden boy speaking up
Hanane Mouhib indicted in brutal killing of 7-year-old son in Brockport
Sweden mom charged in brutal slaying of her 7-year-old son
N.Y. mom arrested for decapitating 7-year-old son with knife
Abraham E. “Abe” Cardenas (2011-2018)

Joe Daniels

Photo of Joe Daniels, a little blond boy with fair skin and pink cheeks, wearing an orange Ninja Turtles T-shirt and smiling for the camera.Name: Joe Clyde Daniels.
Died: Missing April 4, 2018.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
When Joe had an accident, his father beat him to death and dumped his body. Then he reported Joe missing, saying he must have wandered away. The community searched for the little boy for three days before his father, according to authorities, finally confessed to beating him to death, putting his body in the trunk of his car, and disposing of it in a remote location. Joe’s body has not yet been found. His mother is charged with ignoring the abuse and going to bed instead of trying to assist her son.

Joe loved to eat, especially apples. When he went to church, he always knew which ladies kept candy in their purses. He hummed along to the hymns, but covered his ears when the choir sang high notes.

Case status:
Joseph Ray Daniels (Father), convicted of first-degree murder in the perpetration of a felony, second-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, initiating a false report and tampering with evidence; sentenced to 51 years to life.
Krystal Daniels (Mother), pleaded no contest to aggravated child abuse/neglect/endangerment, conspiracy to commit aggravated child abuse, making false reports to an officer, and tampering with evidence; sentenced to 12 years 9 months to 15 years.

Source:
Mother of Joe Clyde Daniels accepts plea deal
Where is Baby Joe? 4 years later members of search team weigh in
Lawmaker proposes ‘Joe Clyde Daniels Act’ after autistic Tennessee boy killed by father
Tennessee man sentenced to 51 years in son’s death
Mother Faces New Charges in Presumed Death of 5-Year-Old Son ‘Baby Joe’
Tennessee man found guilty in missing son’s death
11-Year-Old Boy Testifies Against Stepfather, Says He Heard Loud Bang and Saw ‘Baby Joe’ on the Floor
BABY JOE: Emotional testimony heard in day 4 of Joseph Daniels murder trial
In-Depth: Critical arguments that could decide the trial of Joseph Daniels
Prosecution shows videos of Joe Clyde Daniels first day of trial
‘He was a great kid’: Videos of little Joe Clyde Daniels play at father’s murder trial
‘When I Get Angry, Things Happen’: Prosecutors Detail Case Against Father Charged with Murdering His 5-Year-Old Autistic Son
Here’s a timeline to help understand the Joe Clyde Daniels case
Phone call: Joseph Daniels implicates wife Krystal in Baby Joe’s death
Mother ‘went to bed instead of helping autistic son, 5, as boyfriend killed him’
Trial of parents who murdered autistic son, 5, delayed by Covid
Attorney for Baby Joe’s father claims mental illness medication prompted murder confession
Missing 5-year-old autistic boy was beaten to death by father, cops find blood, hair on shovel likely used for murder
Father Charged With Murder In Case Of Missing Boy With Autism: TN Investigators
Update: Father arrested on charge of homicide in death of 5-year-old Dickson County boy
TBI: Father confesses to killing 5-year-old son
Autism Memorial: Joe Daniels
TBI: father of missing boy with autism has been charged with criminal homicide
Father Of Missing 5-Year-Old Autistic Boy In Middle Tennessee Charged With His Murder; Body Still Missing
Joe Clyde Daniels: TBI to update search at news conference
Father charged in death of missing Tennessee 5-year-old
Dad ‘killed his autistic son, 5, and hid his body before reporting him missing’
Father confesses to killing 5-year-old son who had autism, authorities say
Vigil held for Dickson boy allegedly killed by his father
Four vigils planned Sunday for missing autistic boy presumed murdered by father
TBI: Father confesses to killing 5-year-old boy with autism
Father of missing 5-year-old charged with the murder of his autistic son
Father of missing autistic 5-year-old boy charged with criminal homicide
Missing boy with autism dead, father arrested for killing him
Autistic boy’s father accused of killing him in Tennessee, hunt for body ongoing
Dad reported his autistic son missing. He had just killed the boy, Tennessee cops say
Tennessee father killed his 5-year-old autistic son then hid his body, police say
Mother of missing Tennessee child arrested, charged in his death
Mother of murdered Dickson County boy arrested on child neglect charge
Scary New Details About The Missing 5-Year-Old Autistic Boy Whose Father Was Just Arrested For His Murder
Dad beat autistic son Joe Clyde Daniels to death, hid his body in remote area: affidavit
Search for missing autistic boy takes grim turn as father is arrested
Joseph Ray Daniels beat Joe Clyde to death, disposed of body in ‘remote area,’ authorities say
Joe Clyde Daniels 911 Call Released: Search For Body Of Five-Year-Old Autistic Boy Continues
Joe Clyde Daniels Update: ‘Dad’ who beat autistic son to death ‘with closed fists’ is now on suicide watch: Police
Arrest Warrant: Father beat autistic 5-year-old to death, dumped his body
A city searched for an autistic boy for days. Then his dad confessed to killing him
Father accused of killing 5-year-old boy with autism in Tennessee
Father beat son with autism to death, disposed of body in ‘remote area,’ authorities say
Joe Daniels’ death spotlights autism challenges
Tennessee father ‘beat his autistic five-year-old son to death’
Elementary school honors autistic boy presumed dead after father allegedly confesses to beating him to death
Authorities: Tenn. father beat autistic son to death, disposed of body in ‘remote area’
Court documents reveal father confessed to beating 5-year-old autistic child to death
Father charged in death of missing 5-year-old autistic son
Tennessee Dad Joseph Daniels Who Reported Autistic Son Missing Had Just Killed Him: Cops
The death of 5-year-old Joe Clyde Daniels brings focus to understanding autism
Joe Clyde Daniels mom was in the home when boy’s father beat him to death, took ‘active steps’ to cover up the crime: Court Docs
Joe Clyde Daniels’ mother admits she was present when the boy was killed, court documents state
Joe Clyde’s mom present while dad beat him to death, tried to cover up murder: affidavit
Joe Clyde’s mom, dad had no criminal history before his murder; brothers in DCS custody
Joe Daniels, Tennessee Man Punched Autistic 5-Year-Old Son To Death
Father admits to beating 5-year-old son with autism to death: court documents
Mom was present when dad beat 5-year-old son to death, police say
Mom of autistic boy is arrested after husband was charged with murder
Mother, father both now behind bars in autistic boy’s death
Photos show parents of murdered Joe Clyde Daniels leaving Dickson Co. court
Tennessee Father Confessed to Beating to Death his 5-Year-Old Autistic Son Apr 11, 2018
Mother’s social media posts scrutinized following death of Joe Clyde
Joe Clyde Daniels, 5, remembered as a ‘sweet, gentle spirit’
Dickson neighbors demand answers from murdered 5-year-old boy’s parents
Parents arrested for murder of ‘Baby Joe’ arraigned in Dickson County
Tennessee mother saw husband kill her 5-year-old son who had autism, authorities say
Officers release list of roads in search for murdered 5-year-old Dickson boy
Joe Clyde Daniels: Police review surveillance footage in hopes of locating autistic boy reportedly beaten to death and hidden
Joe Clyde Daniels: Dad who reportedly killed autistic son gave police several locations to find boy’s body but nothing ‘panned out’
Massive search planned for Dickson boy admittedly murdered by father
Tennessee father tells police he murdered his autistic son because boy urinated on floor
Joe Clyde’s dad beat him to death for urinating on the floor, source says
Joe Clyde’s dad beat him to death for urinating on the floor, source says
Joe Clyde Daniels: Search team sets out to find missing autistic boy whose father admitted to beating boy to death and hiding body
Search for body of little Joe continues as parents head to court
Tennessee man accused of killing autistic son moved to state facility for safety
Father accused of killing son with autism to undergo mental evaluation
Tennessee Sheriff faced with murder of child, deputy remains vigilant
Joe Clyde Daniels’ father fit for trial in son’s death, attorney says
Joe Clyde: Joseph, Krystal Daniels trial date pushed back to 2020
Joe Clyde Daniels’ dad denied second transfer request by judge
Vigil to be held for missing but presumed murdered autistic Middle Tennessee boy
Potential new evidence located in death of five-year-old autistic boy

Nichol Widger

Photo of a smiling young woman in glasses and T-shirt. She is heavyset, with fair skin and short dark-brown hair.Name: Nichol “Nikki” Widger.
Died: April 1, 2018.
Age at death: 20.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Disability: Unspecified “special needs”.

Details:
Nikki and her mother, Melisa Widger, were shot and killed by her father on Easter Sunday before he committed suicide. Her 18-year-old brother survived to call police.

Case status:
Eric Widger Sr. (Father), deceased.

Source:
Man killed his wife and special needs daughter in murder-suicide on Easter, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office says
Sheriff: Oklahoma Man Killed Wife, Daughter and Himself
Police: 3 dead, 1 hurt in shooting at Tulsa home
Father of 2 Kills His Wife and Daughter and Then Himself in Easter Sunday Murder-Suicide

Samvith

Photo of Samvith, a small boy with olive-toned skin and dark-brown hair, wearing a printed tank top. He has his mouth open and is looking at the camera happily.Name: Samvith.
Died: March 28, 2018.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Poisoned, strangled.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Samvith had been denied entrance to two schools because he was autistic, so his father poisoned and strangled him, then hung himself.

Case status:
M. Vishwanath (Father), deceased.

Source:
KSRP cop strangles 4-year-old son to death, hangs self
Bengaluru: Cop kills differently abled son, hangs self
KSRP head constable kills autistic son, hangs self
Autism Memorial: Samvith

Ron’Niveya Oneal

Photo of a young girl with brown skin, a pointed chin, and a solemn expression. A filter has been applied, giving her lavender eyes and flowers in her hair.Name: Ron’Niveya Oneal.
Died: March 18, 2018.
Age at death: 9.
Cause of death: Stabbed, beaten.
Location: Riverview, Florida, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy, autism.

Details:
Ron’Niveya was born premature and diagnosed with both autism and cerebral palsy. She lived with her parents and little brother.

Ron’Niveya’s father killed his mother with a shotgun, killed Ron’Niveya by bludgeoning and stabbing her with an axe, and set the house on fire. He tried to kill Ron’Niveya’s little brother Ronnie Jr., but the boy survived his serious injuries and recovered to testify against his father at trial. Ronnie, who was cross-examined by his own attempted killer because his father decided to represent himself in court, has been adopted by one of the detectives in the case.

Case Status:
Ronnie Oneal III (Father), convicted of murder, sentenced to 3 life terms plus 60 years in prison.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Ron’Niveya Oneal
Drama, horror in Tampa courtroom as murder trial opens
Man accused of killing his girlfriend and daughter acts as his own attorney, screams at jurors during opening statements
‘Mark My Words’: Man Representing Himself in Alleged Murder of Girlfriend and 9-Year-Old Daughter Vows to Prove ‘Who the Liars Are’
‘You stabbed me,’ boy tells father at double-murder trial – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper
Riverview double-murder trial: Son questioned about the night his mom was murdered
Double murder suspect gives “Law & Order” worthy viral speech while representing himself in court
Murder Suspect Accused Of Stabbing His Daughter And Girlfriend To Death Acts As His Own Lawyer
‘I arrested you for her murder’: Former HCSO detective takes stand at Ronnie Oneal trial
Ronnie Oneal III found guilty of double murder after acting as his own attorney
Florida double-murder suspect who acted as own attorney found guilty: ‘I did kill Kenyatta Barron’
Life in prison: Jury opts against death penalty for convicted double murderer Ronnie Oneal

Kaylina Anderson

Sepia-tone photo of Kaylina Anderson, a teenage girl with light skin and dark, tangled hair, smiling for the camera.Name: Kaylina L. Anderson.
Died: March 10, 2018.
Age at death: 18.
Cause of death: Neglect.
Location: Mesa Verde, California, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Kaylina’s mother and stepfather abused and starved her to death. She had been kept locked in a filthy room, and when she died she weighed only 45 pounds.

Case status:
Jill Williams (Mother), pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 15 years to life.
Steven Williams (Stepfather), pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 15 years to life.

Source:
Couple Murdered Wife’s Mentally Disabled Teen Daughter: 15-to-Life
Mesa Verde Couple Plead Not Guilty in Disabled Daughter’s Death
Autism Memorial: Kaylina Anderson
Justice For Kaylina Anderson
Mother, stepdad reportedly kept autistic, malnourished 18-yr-old daughter confined to a feces-filled room before she died
Mother, stepfather on trial after ‘severely autistic’ girl found dead
Parents accused of keeping malnourished autistic girl locked in feces-filled room
‘Severely autistic’ woman weighed 45 pounds, body found locked in feces-filled room, prosecutor says
Autistic woman weighed just 45 pounds when body found locked in feces-filled room near Blythe, prosecutor says
Young woman with ‘severe autism’ weighed ‘3st when body was found in room’
‘Severely Autistic’ Teen Weighed Just 45 Pounds When She Was Found Dead In Feces-Filled Room, Prosecutors Say
Autism Memorial: Kaylina Anderson