A nine-month-old baby boy has died in Callahan, Florida after his teenage mother mixed his formula with a lethal dose of fentanyl, according to the police.
The incident occurred on June 26 when the baby was found unresponsive and without a pulse at a home.
Efforts were made by deputies to revive the baby using CPR, but he later died at a hospital in Jacksonville.
Initially, the 17-year-old mother claimed to have no knowledge of what had happened, but her statements changed during subsequent interviews over the following weeks.
After an autopsy, it was revealed that the child had a significant amount of fentanyl in his system, which could have been fatal for 10 people. During an additional interview on Tuesday, July 11, the mother admitted that she was tired and wanted to take a nap on the day of the baby’s death. She confessed to filling a bottle with a mixture of formula and what she believed to be cocaine, but it was later determined to be fentanyl.
Sheriff Leeper expressed disbelief during a press conference, questioning the motivations behind such actions. He emphasized the abnormality of a mother causing harm to her child, stating that no one should lose their life due to such a dangerous substance, especially an innocent baby.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the teen said she might be pregnant.
Sheriff Leeper said that other adults were in the home during the incident, as the investigation will determine whether they will be charged in addition to the mother.
The mother, whose name has not been released, now faces charges of aggravated manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance. The case is currently under investigation by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
