Incident Report: Child Fatality Investigation in West Allis and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the ongoing investigation into the death of a four-year-old child in West Allis, Wisconsin, on October 18. The incident is analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting critical challenges to achieving global targets related to child welfare, justice, and safe communities.

2.0 Incident Details

The West Allis Police Department has launched an investigation into the death of a child. Key facts are as follows:

• Location: Dairy Queen parking lot, area of 108th Street (Highway 100) and Greenfield Avenue.
• Date and Time: Police responded to the scene at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18.
• Victim: Milwaukee County Medical Examiner records indicate the deceased is a four-year-old boy, found unresponsive.
• Persons of Interest: A man was observed being placed in handcuffs and a woman was escorted away from the scene by officers. Their connection to the case has not been officially confirmed.
• Investigation Status: The case is active and ongoing. The police department has indicated more information will be released at a later time.

3.0 Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This local tragedy serves as a critical indicator of the broader challenges addressed by the SDGs, particularly those focused on protecting vulnerable populations.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The death of a young child is a direct contravention of Target 3.2, which aims to end preventable deaths of children under five years of age. This event underscores the urgent need for robust community health and child protective systems to ensure the fundamental right to life and well-being for all children.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   This incident directly relates to Target 16.2: to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The police investigation represents the crucial role of strong institutions in delivering justice and ensuring accountability. The outcome is vital for upholding the rule of law and protecting children from harm.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   A core component of sustainable communities is the provision of safe and inclusive public spaces (Target 11.7). The conversion of a public parking lot into a crime scene erodes the community’s sense of security and highlights the pervasive impact that such tragedies have on the shared environment.

4.0 Conclusion

The investigation into this child’s death is a somber reminder of the persistent challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the local level. The incident highlights significant gaps in child protection and community safety, reinforcing the need for integrated strategies that prioritize the health, justice, and well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article’s central focus is the death of a four-year-old child. This event is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, with a specific focus on reducing child mortality.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article extensively describes the response of law enforcement, including the West Allis Police Department, investigators, and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner. The establishment of a crime scene, the investigation into the cause of death, and the detention of individuals are all actions that fall under the mandate of SDG 16, which seeks to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies and build effective, accountable institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article reports on the death of a four-year-old boy, which directly pertains to this target of preventing under-5 child mortality.

2. Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The investigation into a child’s death, which could be the result of violence, aligns with the goal of reducing death rates from such causes.
   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The suspicious death of a child is a critical event that this target aims to prevent and address. The police investigation is a direct response to a potential case of violence against a child.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article’s description of the police investigation, including securing the scene and detaining potential suspects (“a man handcuffed and placed in the back of a West Allis squad car”), is a clear example of the rule of law being enacted by local institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 3

   • Implied Indicator (related to 3.2.1 Under-5 mortality rate): The article provides a specific data point for this indicator: the death of one four-year-old child. While not a statistical rate, this single event is the fundamental unit of measurement for child mortality.

2. Indicators for SDG 16

   • Implied Indicator (related to 16.1.1 Number of victims of intentional homicide): The death of the child, being the subject of a police investigation, is a potential homicide statistic. The outcome of the investigation will determine if it officially contributes to this indicator.
   • Implied Indicator (related to 16.2.1 Proportion of children who experienced violence): The death of a child under suspicious circumstances is the most severe outcome of violence against children. The case itself serves as a qualitative indicator of the existence of such violence.
   • Indicator of Institutional Response (related to 16.3): The article’s entire narrative about the police response—investigators on the scene, securing the area, and detaining individuals—serves as a direct, observable indicator of the functioning of justice institutions at the local level.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wisn.com