In Lincoln County, A’Keira Hooks died from her drowning injuries while in hospice care. Sadly, A’Keira was a victim of a tragic domestic dispute whereupon her mother’s boyfriend Curtney Levorce Gayten tried to drown A’Keira on April 21, 2008. Police were called to the scene and fatally shot Mr. Gayten while he was holding the baby underwater. A’Keira survived the attack but with serious injury and was transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Afterwards she was in hospice care. Her death is now ruled a homicide.
Researchers have identified abusive adults as having risk factors such as substance abuse, low self-esteem, mental or physical disability, depression, history of abuse as a child, poor coping skills, poor impulse control, history of violent behavior or history of being raised in a group setting with no positive parental role.
All children are potential victims of child abuse, but some factors increase the risk for a child to be abused.
