A Wisconsin court has sentenced a mother to 15 years in prison for the death of her 4-year-old daughter, a special-needs child who died with an extremely high level of alcohol in her system. The tragic case has drawn national attention because of the victim’s vulnerability and the disturbing details revealed during the investigation. Prosecutors said the child suffered neglect and abuse before dying from alcohol poisoning in 2021.
Mother Sentenced to 15 Years for Child’s Death
A judge in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, sentenced 30-year-old Samantha S. Smith to 15 years in a state prison for her role in the death of her daughter, Zoey Chafer.
The sentence was handed down by Sawyer County Circuit Judge Anthony J. Stella Jr. In addition to prison time, Smith must also complete five years of supervised release after leaving custody.
The sentencing followed a plea agreement reached in November.
Under that agreement:
- Smith pleaded guilty to chronic child neglect
- She pleaded no contest to repeated physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm
- A charge of first-degree intentional homicide was dismissed but still considered during sentencing
This means the judge was allowed to consider the seriousness of the homicide allegation when deciding her punishment.
Young Victim Had Severe Disabilities
Zoey Chafer was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy shortly after birth.
According to court records, the child:
- Could not walk or move on her own
- Was nonverbal
- Required a feeding tube for nutrition and hydration
Because of her condition, Zoey depended entirely on caregivers for her daily care and safety.
Child Found Unresponsive in 2021
Emergency responders were called to an apartment complex in Hayward, Wisconsin, on July 28, 2021, after a 911 call reported an unconscious child.
When medics arrived at the residence, they found Zoey unresponsive.
She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after their arrival.
Initially, authorities did not order a full autopsy. However, a blood sample was taken for testing.
Blood Test Revealed Extremely High Alcohol Level
Laboratory testing later revealed shocking results.
According to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Zoey’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.572 g/100mL at the time of her death.
To understand how dangerous that level is:
| BAC Level | Effect |
|---|---|
| 0.08 | Legal intoxication limit for adults |
| 0.20 – 0.24 | Severe impairment and blackout risk |
| 0.25 – 0.39 | Alcohol poisoning |
| 0.40+ | Possible coma or death |
Zoey’s BAC was more than seven times the legal intoxication limit for adults and well above levels considered fatal.
Body Exhumed for Autopsy
After the toxicology results were discovered, authorities ordered Zoey’s body to be exhumed for a full autopsy.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled that the child’s death was a homicide.
The official cause of death was listed as acute ethanol toxicity, meaning fatal alcohol poisoning.
The medical examiner noted that alcohol could not have entered the system of a non-ambulatory child without someone intentionally administering it.
Signs of Physical Abuse Found
The autopsy also revealed multiple injuries that investigators said indicated physical abuse.
Medical examiners reported:
- Bruises and abrasions
- Healing fractures
- Other injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma
Because Zoey was unable to move independently, these injuries raised serious concerns about abuse occurring over time.
Caregivers Admitted They Controlled Feeding Tube
During interviews with investigators, Smith and her boyfriend, Domenic Falkner, reportedly admitted they were the only adults present when the alcohol entered the child’s system.
Authorities said the two were also the only people who operated Zoey’s feeding tube.
Falkner had moved into the home in August 2020 and had been approved as a caregiver for Zoey.
He was even paid to assist with the child’s care.
Boyfriend Also Convicted
Falkner was also convicted on similar charges related to Zoey’s death.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 1.
Prosecutors have argued that both adults were responsible for the neglect and abuse that led to the child’s death.
Community Shocked by Case
The disturbing nature of the case shocked the local community and raised serious questions about how such abuse could occur.
Because Zoey had severe medical needs and required constant care, investigators said she was particularly vulnerable.
Cases involving disabled children often receive heightened attention because the victims depend entirely on caregivers for protection.
