Samantha Mae Roberts, a 20-year-old non-verbal woman with cerebral palsy and seizure disorder, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at her family home in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, on January 17, 2020. Her mother, Tina Roberts, and live-in boyfriend, Paul M. Carter, were the only adults in the home. An autopsy revealed Samantha died from significant head trauma caused by multiple blows. Paul Carter admitted to hitting Samantha and pulling her hair days before her death but denied causing the fatal injuries. Tina Roberts cooperated with police and was not charged. The investigation focused on Carter's actions leading to Samantha's death.
Country: United States
State/Province: Wisconsin, United States
City/Region: Nekoosa
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Live-in relationship
Relationship Duration: Approximately 4 months (dating)
Incident Date: Jan. 17, 2020
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
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How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 4 months (dating)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2020-01-17
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Controversial Crimes Media · Original language: English
Mom Left Daughter Alone With Boyfriend, Then Finds Daughter Unresponsive
Domestic Violence
The case involves a live-in boyfriend who physically abused a disabled young woman, resulting in fatal head trauma. The abuse escalated over days, with prior incidents of hitting and hair pulling admitted by the suspect. The victim's mother was unaware of the abuse until after the fatal incident. Alcohol use and control dynamics were present in the relationship.
Police conducted a thorough investigation including interviews and autopsy. Paul Carter was arrested based on his admissions and forensic evidence. Tina Roberts was not charged and cooperated fully. The investigation included review of medical records, witness statements, and digital evidence. No evidence of sexual abuse by Carter was reported. The case remains under investigation.
Initial confusion about cause of death with assumptions of seizure or aspiration. Delay in calling ambulance after first injuries. Uncertainty about exact timing of injuries and suspect's actions during mother's bath.
Samantha was injured between the time she returned from day programs and when Tina was in the bathtub. Paul Carter was the only adult present and admitted to hitting and pulling her hair days before. Tina checked on Samantha at 8:30 p.m. and found her unresponsive. Emergency services were called and Samantha was pronounced dead. Autopsy confirmed fatal head trauma inconsistent with self-inflicted injury. Carter admitted to prior abuse but denied causing fatal injuries. Tina was unaware of abuse until after death.
High risk due to vulnerability of victim, prior physical abuse, and presence of alcohol use by suspect.
Vulnerable individuals require vigilant protective care. New partners moving into homes with disabled dependents should be carefully assessed. Prior minor abuse can escalate rapidly to fatal outcomes. Delays in medical intervention can worsen outcomes. Cooperation with authorities and thorough investigations are critical.
Prior physical abuse admitted by suspect, swelling and bruising on victim, agitation and self-harm behavior by victim, suspect's alcohol use.
Suspect's admission of hitting and hair pulling, autopsy findings of multiple head injuries, timeline placing suspect alone with victim during injury period.
Autopsy report, suspect's statements, medical records, witness interviews, emergency response reports.
Tina Roberts provided detailed account of events and suspect's admissions. Emergency responders reported victim unresponsive with white foam. No other witnesses reported.
Initial medical assumptions of seizure or aspiration changed after autopsy revealed fatal head trauma. Suspect's admissions emerged after victim's death.
Exact timing and full circumstances of fatal injuries remain partially unclear. Motive beyond control/domination and jealousy not fully established.