Near Fatality

Death/Near Death:

Near Death of a Child from Maltreatment

Preliminary Report Post Date:

02/06/2009

The name, age and city, town or general location of residence of the child who has suffered the fatality or near fatality:	The victim is Precious, a 2-year-old girl, from Tucson.
The fact that a child suffered a near fatality or fatality as the result of abuse, abandonment or neglect:	Information available indicates this is a near-fatality as a result of abuse.
The name, age and city, town or general location of residence of the alleged perpetrator, if available:	The alleged perpetrator is Shonda Harper, 39, from Tucson. Ms. Harper was arrested by Tucson Police on February 4, 2009.
Whether there have been reports, or any current or past cases, of child abuse, abandonment or neglect involving the child and the current alleged abusive or neglectful parent, guardian or custodian:	There have been no prior reports to the state Child Abuse Hotline alleging abuse or neglect to Precious. The department is following up to determine if there have been any prior reports or open cases in other states.
Actions taken by CPS in response to the fatality or near fatality of the child:	Child Protective Services is jointly investigating the allegations with Tucson police. CPS has filed a dependency petition with the court regarding Precious and the other children in the home. As of February 6, 2009, Precious remains hospitalized; the other children who were in the home are in CPS care.