Meeker's roommates insisted that the celebrity . After attending a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas, the vehicle he and Suge Knight were riding in were met with a hail of bullets from a white Cadillac. Selena was born in Lake Jackson, Texas, 50 miles southeast of Houston, to Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Quintanilla. The mystery surrounding this young stars death only deepened after Murphys husband, Simon Monjack, died under similar circumstances five months later in the same house. Larry Gene Bell was later convicted of her murder and executed. ephantmon. The biggest role of Yelchins career was also his last, starring as Pavel Chekov in J.J. AbramsStar Trekreboot. Her official cause of death was suicide, but she had a broken nose, two fractured ribs, and bruising around her neckNo one was ever charged with her murder and it remains unsolved. Some celebrities were just children when tragedy struck while others were successful adults. The 6-year-old beauty queen was found murdered in the basement of her home on Dec. 26, 1996. Robert Blake is best known for his role as Mickey in the 1939 adaptation of the Little Rascals. All the actors and actresses listed enjoyed success from an early age. The death of a celebrity, any celebrity, is always tough on their fans. Height: 5'10" (178 cm) Recommended Lists: Execution. Chuck Berry. He became a captive of the Khmer Rouge. Jing Bai was born on June 4, 1983 in Diaobingshan, Liaoning, China. Selena was 9 years old when her father discovered her talent for singing. Both before and after his well-known role onSons of Anarchy, Lewis had destructive run-ins with the law, including residential burglary and assault and battery. By ABC News. He died on July 2, 1994 in Medellin, Colombia. In 1988, she succumbed to complications from surgery to remove an acute bowel obstruction. Her remains were located in 2022 after a suspect, Raymond Moody, confessed to her murder. Presumed victim of probable serial killer, Victims of mass murderer and suspected serial killer, Nationally famous case of a 4 year old kidnapping victim. Known previously as only "Caledonia Jane Doe" or "Cali Doe", Alexander remained unidentified until 2015. Although he acted since age five, Johnny Lewiss big break came at 16 years old when he appeared on Malcolm in the Middle and 7th Heaven. Died September 5, 2005, age 36; was beaten and strangled to death by his prison cellmateWas an actor best known for appearing in the movies "Boys in the Hood" and "Poetic Justice"His killer, Kevin Roby, is a Satanist who smeared the walls of their cell with Avery's blood after murdering him. The death of Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, in January came as a shock to many. Find the latest Bollywood News and Celebrity Gossips from Latest In Bollywood. In 2008, new DNA technology cleared all members of the Ramsey family of the crime. He was standing behind his SUVwhen it suddenly rolled backward down the steep driveway and pinned him to his brick mailbox and security gate. Emergency personnel was ultimately unable to revive Phoenix because of the lethalmix of illicit substancesin his body. Next: Unusual travel circumstances led to this child stars death. Died: July 20, 2017. An infant abandoned near a road that died from exposure and blood loss. He was an actor, known for Boyz n the Hood (1991), Shot (2001) and Poetic Justice (1993). Actors and Celebrities Who Were Murdered. She worked in local news in Miami before going on to the national stage, co-hosting "Access Hollywood" and later becoming the face of reality TV sensation "90 . Ramon and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1913, as refugees from the Mexican Revolution. Next: A terrible bar fight killed thisHarry Potter actor. Next: An actress dies similarly to the way her character did on TV. 2. April 10, 1966 - Nov. 29, 2022. The 1975 murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley attracted a lot of media attention, thanks to an association with the Kennedy family. Along with his long-time partner and Hee Haw (1969) co-star Grandpa Jones, he was one of the premier traditional-style banjo players in country music. Died July 15, 1997, age 50; was shot to death in front of his home in Miami Beach, Florida by spree killer Andrew Cunanan, who killed himself 8 days laterWas an Italian fashion and costume designer; his company also produces fragrances, jewelry, china, and furnishings as well as clothes, Soundtrack | So, let's take a look into what happened to the Hollywood men accused of child sexual abuse in An Open Secret. Michael Skakel, the nephew of Robert F. Kennedy's widow, was the last known person to be seen with Moxley before her death. Next: This star experienced drugs and sexual abuse at a young age. The 20-year-old was along for the ride when her car got rear-ended by a semi-truck and hit by another vehicle. (L) Judith Barsi, (Top R) Judith's parents, (Lower R) the crime scene | YouTube. He was later convicted and executed for her murder. On Feb. 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed on a residential street in Sanford, FL, by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, who claimed he was acting in self-defense. Stinney had murder of two girls named . There's Someone Inside Your House. Let's take a look at 15 Celebrities That Were Brutally Murdered. Cause of death unknown, but was investigated as homicide. Though Martin was unarmed and Zimmerman was told by police to stay in his vehicle, Zimmerman was found not guilty of murder. 20/23. Murdered along with her mother and a neighbor in a revenge killing. The untimely passing of a star is always a tragedy, but child actors who died at a young age seem especially tragic. She was an actress, known for Let's Go for Broke (1974), Wonder Woman (1975) and Legacy of Satan (1974). Stars Whose Parents Have Been Murdered. In 2013, the 23-year-old died in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Heather ORourke star of the Poltergeist movies died in 1988 at the age of 12 of cardiac arrest and septic shock caused by intestinal stenosis. The loss of Anton Yelchin in 2016 shook up Hollywood. The great success he had achieved, was cut short after he was tragically murdered in 1985.He had been appearing on Broadway for a number of Died February 27, 1985, age 39; was stabbed to death during a fight with a 16-year-old at a San Diego parkWas an American actor who appeared in the movies "Ice Castles", "Firefox", and "Children in the Crossfire"His killer was sentenced to 26 years to life; his next parole hearing is in 2026, at which time he will have been imprisoned for 40 years. Known only as "Delta Dawn", Heinrich remained unidentified until 2020. A New Mexico toddler who was found murdered in Oregon after a fisherman caught his remains. Police spend decades trying to bring closure to families. The girl had been sexually assaulted and murdered. Some of them were brutally murdered while many others had serious health problems that ended up claiming their lives. There is another group of child actors who have ended up dying tragically and not from drug overdoses. youtube.com. 3 weeks ago. She first appeared as Justine Phillips onThe Cosby Show,playing Theo Huxtables girlfriend for three years. Presumed victim of unidentified serial killer. Loosely based on Jane Austens novel Emma, Clueless garnered critical acclaim and led to Murphys roles in major movies likeGirl, Interrupted;8 Mile;and Sin City. Dick Kallman, an actor in movies and television in the late 50s and 60s, left Hollywood and began doing stage work. The diary has never been recovered, and her murder remains unsolved. At the hospital, doctors pronounced the 38-year-old dead. Jay Sebring was born on October 10, 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They had to be restrained at times. Child actors who died young include some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. She was previously married to Chenghai Zhou. The American quickly entered into the world of acting at a young age, making numerous appearances in films and television shows from 1943 to 1960. (DETROIT) TV personality Shaun Robinson has been reporting for almost 30 years. After her breakout role in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist, child actor Heather ORourke starred inits two sequels, Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III. Like Coleman, Dana Plato found fame as a child actor on the 80s sitcom Diffrent Strokes. The claim: Well-known politicians and celebrities are under house arrest for sex trafficking. Danny Lockin was born in Hawaii in 1943, and was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Their killer pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced to a minimum of 59 years in prison. Each child was held alive from 4 to 19 days before being killed. According to the Los Angeles Times, doctors found a longstanding bowel obstruction. On June 10, 2016, Grimmie was shot three Died June 10, 2016, age 22; was shot to death by an obsessed fan while signing autographs; her killer then shot himself to death Was a singer and contestant on the TV reality show "The Voice". Her body was found in the desert 10 days after her abduction. However, many believe Haims years of drug abuse may have indirectly contributed by taking a toll on his overall health. Parents die without ever knowing who was responsible for their child's murder. A teenaged murder victim found at the edge of a cemetery. He soon parlayed that success into aJett JacksonTV movie, as well as a supporting role inJohnny Tsunami. A 17-year-old who was abducted from the driveway of her home. According to investigators cited by CNN, the cause of the accident was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions. Walker had recently turned 40 years old. 2021-02-05 2021-02-05; Celebrities, Interesting; . While his cause . Here is a list that will change your scepticism into belief - the horrific children who were killers: 10. ALEX WINTER: Famous for his role in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure", the 54-year-old directed the new documentary "Showbiz Kids," airing beginning Tuesday on HBO. Twenty-month-old Charles Augustus LindberghJr.was snatched from his crib in New Jerseyon March 1, 1932. Bobby Driscoll is one of the more well-known child stars who tragically passed away before his time. Keep in mind, this is about four months after Alex's wife and son were brutally murdered. His siblings were Michael, Victor and Sarina. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival at the hospital, after suffering from acute internal bleeding. In 1988, Phoenix garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of a counterculture couples son in Sidney Lumets Running on Empty. Child actor Brad Renfro made his big-screen debut in the critically acclaimed 1994 thriller The Client,based on a John Grisham novel by the same name. The judge sentenced Tilden to a year in prison of which he served 10 months. On February 5, 1975, a partial skeleton belonging to a young white female was discovered in a park in nearby Strongsville. The murder of children is viewed with the starkest repugnance, especially if it is a case of filicide (the deliberate killing of one's own child). Next: A confrontation led to this rascals death. A teenager listed as a missing person for over thirty years, after her adoptive parents reported her as a. (1964) and Come Blow Your Horn (1963). Later, he became involved with avant-garde theater. David Akeman, the country musician known as "Stringbean," was a legend at the Grand Ole Opry and one of the stars of television's Hee Haw (1969). Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his first mix-tape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to Died March 31, 2019, age 33; was shot more than 10 times in front of his clothing store Was a rapper who won two posthumous Grammy Awards; was also a community activist and entrepreneur who was using his success to help revitalize the poverty-stricken and gang-riddled neighborhood in which he grew upA former fellow gang member and aspiring rapper Eric Holder, was arrested two days after the shooting. Trial is set to begin February 2023. To learn more about famous people who died young, check out Members Of The 27 Club(celebrities who died at age 27) and The Most Depressing Celebrity TrainwrecksOf All Time. Death Cause And Obituary. A toddler thrown from a bridge into a river. Plato played Kimberly Drummond, the teenage daughter of a wealthy white widower who adopts two African-American brothers. It is always heartbreaking when a child dies, but a child getting murdered is almost unthinkable. A medical examiner ruled the 34-year-oldsdeath a suicide. Born in Madrid, Spain to two hard-working military parents, William and Elizabeth Schoen. Victim remained unidentified for several months. And then there are those child actors that just fell out of the spotlight and it's terrible to later find out that they died when they still had so much living to do. She had been sexually molested and was found with a skull fracture. Next:This actress courageously battled her diagnosis. They are currently incarcerated and awaiting trial. The victim's remains were located on August 21, 2003, yet it is believed she was murdered at least a decade before. Later, while trying to decide between a career in music or art, she illustrated children's books during Died December 10, 1986, age 59; her son beat her to death with a weight-lifting bar Was an American actress best known for the films "The Wasp Woman" and "Son of Ali Baba"Her son spent 2-1/2 years in jail pending trial; he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served no additional time for her murder. This list contains information on child murder victims, loosely ranked by notoriety. A teenage girl abducted and presumed to have been murdered. 10 Celebrities Who Made A Fortune After Dying. Unless otherwise noted, all biographical details are courtesy ofBiography.com. His is not just one of the most famous suicides, but also one of the most baffling. A ransom note demanding $50,000 was left on the windowsill, but a few days later, a new ransom note was found demanding $70,000. She was previously married to Gary Clements. Miss Spear was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004 and was 4th runner-up in the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant. Unfortunately, Plato never fully kicked her drug habit. Died November 28, 1963, age 22; was strangled to death by an unknown assailantWas an American actress; only daughter of talk show host and newspaper columnist Irv Kupcinet. His mother pushed for a career in show business to keep him out of trouble and off the mean streets. Heather was just 12 years old when shesuccumbed to complications during surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction. Michael Jackson. According to Access Hollywood, the coroner determined that pulmonary congestion not a drug overdose caused his death. She attended high school in Manhattan, where she took an interest in dramatics and joined the school dramatic club. He has said he was . A pregnant young woman found stabbed to death in a parking lot. The tennis ace , who is now one of the famous pedophiles, was shunned by the establishment and public after his convictions. He appeared in the film Gypsy (1962) as Gerry. Actor Griffin Dunne is her brother. Born in Carlow, Ireland. Due to a clerical error, the skeleton was not added to, Curtis disappeared from a school conference. She has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. In the film, 11-year-old Renfro plays the lead role of Mark Sway, a young boy who witnesses the suicide of a mob-connected lawyer. After that, Thomas had a few smaller roles and also appeared in music videos for artists like Boyz II Men and Dru Hill. Many of them end of going off the rails while many others end up outgrowing their careers. Tell us what you think about this feature. Studied at The Atlantic Theatre Company in New York, and has performed in many Died March 12, 2015, age 38; she and her husband were killed, dismembered, and their remains burned in a wood stove by a handyman they had befriendedShe was a chef best known for appearing as a contestant on the TV show "Food Network Star"She and her husband had been married for less than a year, and she was 5 months pregnant when she was killed. 7 Robert Blake Was Charged In The Murder Of His Second Wife. His first breakthrough in music came in 1991 as a member of the group Digital Died September 13, 1996, age 25; was shot in a drive-by following a boxing match in Las Vegas; he died 6 days laterMusic producer Suge Knight was driving the car; he was wounded but survivedWas an actor, rapper, lyricist, and social activist; starred in the movies "Juice", "Bullet", Poetic Justice", "Above the Rim", and "Gang Related"No one was ever charged with his murder, and it remains unsolved. He was one of eight children of Doris Marguerite (Wardell) and Rupert Loebig Hartmann, a salesman. In October 2020, Connecticut Chief State's Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr. said he would not retry Kennedy because too many witnesses had died, and the case would be dismissed. Victim remained unidentified until 1998. Dominique Dunne was born to a life of privilege in Santa Monica, California, the daughter of Ellen Beatriz Griffin Dunne and Dominick Dunne, a producer, actor, and writer. All 21 victims were in the same fourth-grade room at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on the morning of May 24 when an 18-year-old gunman wearing body armor started shooting, firing off as . The death of Dylan McDermott's mom has been ruled a homicide. He is considered by many to be the face of Brooklyn drill. Next: A freak accident horrified this actors fans. He became famous for portraying Alfalfa in the film series "Our Gang" during the 1930s. Dorothy Stratten's story was brief, glorious and tragic. The death of Robin Williams shocked the world in 2014. Brittany Murphy appeared in many TV sitcoms and commercials before her big break in the 1995 hit comedy Clueless. According to the . A teenager who disappeared from her home in Akron, Ohio, on September 1, 1974, following an argument with her stepfather. News reports say three children have been killed and two other children wounded in an attack at at a home in Texas Friday. The woman had been stabbed only hours prior. Evening Standard/Getty Images. After several months of investigation, police eventually tracked down the ransom money to Richard Hauptmann, who was subsequently charged with murder. His body was never found. 6 6)Sam Cooke. She also placed 2nd Runner up on The Voice. Social media users have been sharing a post which claims that the DJ Avicii (Tim Bergling), Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, American singer Chris Cornell and celebrity chef Anthony . She died on December 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, Died December 8, 2014, age 30; was shot to death by her husband, who then killed himselfWas an American actress and dancer who appeared on the TV show "Hit the Floor". He is an actor and writer, known for City Teacher (2007), Spin City (1996) and The Jayson Williams Story. A mass shooting where ten children (including, Presumed victim of FBI Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive, 8 children died in the attacks. The boys were sexually assaulted. He has starred in numerous regional stage productions including the San Diego Repertory Theater's Died October 3, 2020, age 70, after being shot multiple times in the backWas a Tony-nominated actor best known for appearing in the movies "Clockers", "Get On the Bus", and "Set It Off"A suspect was arrested two weeks after the shooting, and is currently awaiting trial. Phil Hartman was born Philip Edward Hartmann on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Casey Anthony. She was strangled to death with a cord. Avery's body lay undiscovered in his cell for 38 hours, for which the corrections officers received a slap on the wrist for their negligence and dereliction of dutyRoby confessed to the murder, and remains incarcerated. 14 year old murder victim who inspired multiple songs. On December 8, 1980, 40-year-old Beatles legend and rock icon John Lennon who eerily predicted his own death was shot five times in the . Formerly known as the Opelika Jane Doe, her father was arrested and charged with murder 11 years after her death, A teenaged girl found dead inside a garbage bag, who may have been linked to. Three Celebrities Who Became Murderers. Though Martin was unarmed and Zimmerman was told by police to stay in his vehicle, Zimmerman was found not guilty of murder. Cause of death undetermined, considered suspicious. KTVT-TV . In 2009, his attacker, Karl Bishop, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 20 years. It seemed like this actor would become a major movie star. "Orange Is the New Black" star Brad William Henke passed away in his sleep at the age of 56. Empress Wu Zetian. He was raised by his mother's older sister Mimi Smith. Murder and attempted rape of a teenaged girl that led to a later ghost story surrounding the site of her murder. Some famous people had family members who were killed while they were children and others had family members killed when they were successful adults. 3 3)Phil Hartman. That person shot him with a .38 revolver after Switzer came at him with a switchblade. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. He finally traveled home to London several months later, and by that time, the sickness moved to his pancreas. Jam Master Jay was born on January 21, 1965 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Shakur was struck four times, and later died at the hospital on Sept. 13, 1996. She has been . Was a child actor who played in the "Our Gang" movies which were later turned into "The Little Rascals" TV series. He was just 21. Ernest Hemingway. He died on June 18, 2018 in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA. Despite her fame fromDiffrent Strokes, Plato found it difficult to find quality work. She died on April 26, 1999 in Fulham, London, England, UK. A man was convicted of his murder based on a confession, but the body was never recovered. The investigation focused on several suspects, including somemembers of her family, but to this day, the case remains unsolved. 4. Later in his career, Died January 21, 1959, age 31; was shot to death during a fight over $50His death was ruled justifiable homicide and his murderer was acquitted Their five-year-old daughter was shot in the leg, but survivedSpear was a former Miss Venezuela and subsequent runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant; was also a popular telenovela actressFour assailants were given sentences ranging from 24 to 26 years. He was previously married to Josephine Poszywak. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2022. These purportedly included Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger, Joe Namath, George Hamilton, and several othersSeveral people have speculated that the proposed book was the motive for her murder, but this wasn't proven. Victim remained unidentified until September 2015. Before the war, he was a physician & medical officer in the Cambodian army. First, 22-year old Dana actress Dominique Donne was killed in 1982; then even more infamously Carol Anne actress Heather O'Rourke passed away in 1988 aged just 12. John Winston (later Ono) Lennon was born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, to Julia Lennon (ne Stanley) and Alfred Lennon, a merchant seaman. From than on he continued Died August 1, 1983, age 62; was beaten to death by a homeless man he had befriended; the man's body was found 4 days later in the River Thames in an apparent suicideWas a British actor who appeared in more than 50 films. The adult, oldest and youngest victims were identified in June 2019 as Marlyse Honeychurch, Marie Vaughn and Sarah McWaters. He was an actor and composer, known for Triple Frontier (2019), The Big Short (2015) and Lethal Weapon (2016). The other three murderers have remained incarcerated for over 50 years. His mother was identified in 2019 and subsequently charged with his murder. The prime suspect has since died and DNA samples from the killer are now insufficient to process. Smith opened the door and promptly shot himself in the head before the police could question him. 1. Renfros well-received performance led to roles in other major motion pictures, including Tom and Huck, The Cure, Sleepers, and Apt Pupil. In November 2003, seaQuest DSV star Jonathan Brandis took his own lifeat the age of 27. Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. He was an exceptional dancer who started dancing professionally at age eight. Sun Sign: Gemini. As noted in Corey Feldmans memoir Coreyography, both actors used hard drugs at a young age. Childhood pictures, family mementos and hand written letters penned by serial killers fetch plenty of . Walkers greatest career success came as an adult when he played Brian OConner in 2001s The Fast and the Furious. He first began getting noticed as Stanley Died November 9, 2002, age 26; was shot to death as he was leaving a friend's home; his companion was also shot, but survivedWas an American actor and rapper best known for the TV shows "The Cosby Show", Moesha", and "The Steve Harvey Show"His killer was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years. She died on February 12, 1977 in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Died February 12, 1977, age 27; was stabbed to death outside a friend's home in West Hollywood Was an aspiring actress who had bit parts in the movie "Let's Go for Broke" and the TV show "Wonder Woman"She kept a diary of her liaisons with several famous men with the intent of writing a tell-all book. His death was ultimately ruled an accident. ", "Police release full Newtown massacre report, with photos and video Investigations", "Boston DA: Toddler who washed ashore 'remains a mystery to us', "Exclusive: Police Identify Boston's 'Baby Doe' As Bella", "21 lives lost: Uvalde victims were a cross-section of a small, mostly Latino town in South Texas", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_murdered_American_children&oldid=1142039162, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, BLP articles lacking sources from June 2022, Articles that may contain original research from June 2022, All articles that may contain original research, Articles lacking reliable references from June 2022, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Next: This talented actor made many mistakes. Your IP: Murdered by two college students who believed their ostensible intellectual superiority would allow them to get away with the "perfect crime". 37,738 116 20 Hit Songs We Don't Want to Hear Anymore (Espresso Communication/MSN) . While not a beauty as a child Died August 14, 1980, age 20; was shot to death by her estranged husband who then killed himselfWas an actress and Playboy magazine Playmate of the YearWas portrayed by Mariel Hemingway in the biopic "Star 80" and by Jamie Lee Curtis in the TV movie "Death of a Centerfold", Soundtrack | Bell was 10 years old when she committed her first murder in 1968, strangling a 4-year-old boy. Thelma Todd was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, an industrial city near the New Hampshire state line. This 16-year-old rising stars life ended in gang violence on the streets of Inglewood, California. More recently, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, who claimed he was acting in self-defense. Other child actors took their own lives. Abraham opened a Mexican restaurant, Papagayo, in Lake Jackson. Handsome Bob Crane had many careers including working as a disc jockey for a while. An unidentified woman found floating in a lake in Florida. He was raised in the poor Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. They were cognitively impaired. He began as an advertising model for a fast-food chain at the age of 3. 209.236.71.63 He left the bar complaining of a headache. Subject was most likely over 19 at time of death. Also find all Bollywood Movie Information related to release date, Reviews, Web Series Information and celebrities, gossips, and entertainment news. Most known for: The Land Before Time Cause of death: Murder Hollywood was shocked when 10-year-old child star . As of August 2022 they were still incarcerated and awaiting trial, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. Many people recognize the twins who played Ray Romanos sons onEverybody Loves Raymond. The rest of his body was never found. The prosecution contends that the women failed to perform their legal duty to protect the boy's well-being and safety.