WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A 15-month-old Clearwater youngster who died in August 2025 after his mom reported he choked on a meatball had no international physique or meals extract in his airway, in response to an post-mortem report obtained by 12 Information.
The mom of Matthew Whitton, Shanna Kay Whitton, was charged with his murder on Monday after a prolonged investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriffâs Workplace. She made her first courtroom look on Tuesday.
Whitton was additionally charged with youngster abuse, aggravated youngster endangerment and aggravated arson for a fireplace began in Matthewâs room in July 2025.
Matthewâs demise was dominated a murder on account of issues of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy because of an intentional asphyxiation.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a critical mind dysfunction brought on by decreased oxygen or blood circulation to the mind. It was decided that Matthewâs demise was not in line with choking.
The post-mortem report, accomplished by the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Heart, additionally included data {that a} 2-year-old youngster of Whittonâs died in 2024 after reportedly choking on a grape.
The two-year-oldâs demise was initially decided to be an accident, however the sheriffâs workplace has reopened an investigation.
On Aug. 25, 2025, Whitton referred to as 911 as a result of Matthew was choking on a meatball, and he was taken to the hospital.
In line with documentation from EMS and medical data, no meals remnants have been recognized in Matthewâs airways throughout tried resuscitation or throughout his hospitalization.
A subsequent medical workup on Matthew whereas he was within the hospital revealed no trigger for the acute respiratory failure and cardiac arrest Matthew skilled.
Matthew was recognized with sepsis, however there was no indication of an infectious supply of the sepsis. Blood and urine cultures have been damaging and the sepsis was decided to be the results of shock and Matthewâs anoxic mind damage.
The post-mortem report revealed that Matthew had no obvious accidents.
Conferences of the Little one At Danger Analysis group have been held whereas Matthew was hospitalized and a follow-up report documented suspected youngster abuse because of the respiratory failure and cardiac arrest with no clear medical situation.
In line with the Forensic Science Heart, the household had an âin depth historical pastâ throughout the medical system as nicely with the Kansas Division and households and legislation enforcement.
The most important occasions detailed in medical data, police reviews and DCF documentation embody:
- Could 27, 2024: Matthew is born and admitted to the NICU for 2 weeks for respiratory misery syndrome requiring intubation, sepsis (suspected), and metabolic acidosis. He’s discharged house two weeks later with a scheduled follow-up.
- July 21, 2024: Matthewâs sister was admitted to the hospital with an episode of unintentional asphyxia after sleeping with a blanket over her face and presumably a plastic bag over or close to her face.
- July 24, 2024: Matthewâs sister was admitted to the hospital for a presumed airway obstruction whereas consuming grapes. She died through the hospitalization.
- Aug. 21, 2024: Whitton reviews she handed out whereas holding Matthew and he fell to the ground. No medical care was wanted the incident.
- Sept. 13, 2024: Whitton reviews Matthew had problem respiratory at house, however he was regular when EMS arrived. Matthew is admitted to the hospital and recognized with a quick resolved unexplained occasion.
- Sept. 14, 2024: Whitton dropped Matthew on the ground whereas feeding him whereas Matthew remained hospitalized.
- Oct. 8, 2024: Whitton referred to as EMS for considerations of hypothermia because of chilly tub water. Matthew was evaluated by EMS however not hospitalized.
- Oct. 27, 2024: Matthew was admitted to the hospital for asphyxia after Whitton reportedly wakened mendacity on high of him in an unsafe/mattress sharing setting.
- June 14, 2025: Matthew was admitted to the hospital for a ânear-drowningâ the place he reportedly slipped and fell within the bathtub, hit his head and briefly went underwater. Matthew was discovered to have pulmonary edema and proof of near-drowning.
- July 26, 2025: An condominium hearth happens in Matthew and Whittonâs house, with the purpose of origin being Matthewâs room. Matthew is faraway from his room by Whitton and never considerably harmed.
- A subsequent investigation indicated the hearth was deliberately set in Matthewâs room and fees are filed towards Whitton for arson. These fees are pending.
- Aug. 25, 2025: Matthew is admitted to the hospital for a âchokingâ occasion and dies. No international our bodies have been ever present in his airway by EMS, hospital clinicians or at post-mortem.
The report signifies that âquite a few peopleâ concerned with Matthew and his household questioned Whittonâs capability to maintain him secure.
There have been repeated documented considerations concerning Whittonâs parenting and decision-making abilities. These considerations have been raised by multiple individual about whether or not these repeated incidents have been a results of incompetent parenting or what was previously often called Munchausenâs Syndrome by Proxy.
The situation is now known as medical youngster abuse.
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