A mother in Alabama is now facing serious criminal charges after the death of her young son. Kaitlynn Dominick brought her 17-month-old son to the hospital, and he passed away shortly afterward. Hospital staff grew concerned after certain test results suggested possible foul play, leading them to alert the authorities.
Over the next few weeks, police investigated Dominick and those close to her to understand what happened. Investigators eventually discovered that she may have tampered with her son’s feeding tube, leading to her facing the consequences of her actions.
Hospital Visit Sparks Investigation
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) contacted them on May 5, 2026. A doctor at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital had raised concerns about a 17-month-old boy who needed medical care. Dominick had brought her son to the hospital on May 4, and he died the following morning. Lab results alarmed hospital staff, prompting a mandatory report to DHR.
Details of the Investigation
Investigators learned that the boy had a medical condition that required a surgically implanted feeding tube. According to authorities, Dominick initially gave inconsistent statements about what happened. Later, she admitted to mixing a liquid solution and putting it into her son’s feeding tube, which led to his death.
On May 26, Dominick was charged with manslaughter and aggravated child ab*se involving a child under six years old. The investigation took around three weeks before formal charges were filed.
Captain Justin Correa of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office told WKRG, “It started as a general investigation to find out what caused this child’s death, but it then turned criminal. This child has had a feeding tube for a long time, and Dominick is educated enough to know what she was doing. This appears to be intentional rather than accidental.”
Court Appearance and Bond
Dominick made her first court appearance on May 27 via video from the Baldwin County Jail. During her bond hearing, Baldwin County Chief Assistant District Attorney Teresa Heinz said that the mother had put a chemical compound into the boy’s feeding tube. While she did not provide full details, the criminal complaint noted the mixture included table salt and another liquid.
Heinz claimed Dominick did this because she needed a break from caring for her son. She added, “I believe she did it intentionally because she knew that if the child was taken to the hospital, he would receive proper care from medical professionals.”
Dominick was granted a $75,000 bond and placed on GPS house arrest. Her bond conditions include no contact with children under 18, staying within Alabama, and surrendering her passport. Heinz stated, “The charges are appropriate because she recklessly caused the child’s death. Her actions were purposeful and not accidental—she knew this would harm the child.”
