As of May 2, 2026, there is no obituary for Samantha Smith or Domenic Falkner. Instead, both individuals have recently been in the news due to court sentencings in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, related to the 2021 death of Smith’s 4-year-old daughter, Zoey Chafer.
Recent Court Developments (May 2026)
Domenic Robert Falkner (29): On Friday, May 1, 2026, Falkner was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision. He had previously pleaded no contest to charges of physical abuse of a child and chronic neglect.
Samantha Sue Smith (30): Smith was sentenced earlier this year, on March 6, 2026, to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision. She was convicted of felony physical abuse of a child and chronic neglect resulting in death.
Background on the Case
The charges stemmed from an investigation into the July 28, 2021, death of Smith’s daughter, Zoey, who had severe cerebral palsy.
Cause of Death: While the child was initially thought to have died of natural causes, toxicology reports later revealed a lethal blood alcohol concentration of .572% (more than seven times the legal limit for an adult driver). Her death was subsequently ruled a homicide caused by acute ethanol toxicity.
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Neglect and Abuse: Investigators found evidence of repeated physical abuse, including multiple bone fractures and bruising that occurred while she was in the care of Smith and Falkner.
Caregiver Status: At the time of the incident, Falkner was an approved and paid caregiver for Zoey through county human services.
The Victim
Zoey Elizabeth Chafer (April 10, 2017 – July 28, 2021) was described by her family as a resilient young girl who, despite her significant disabilities, was known for her “giggles and smiles.” Her death led to a lengthy multi-year investigation that concluded with these recent sentencings.
