A nine-month-old baby boy has died in Callahan, Florida after his 17-year-old mother mixed his formula with a lethal dose of fentanyl, according to the police.
Upon discovering the lifeless infant in the home on June 26, deputies attempted to resuscitate the child through CPR. Unfortunately, despite the efforts, the child later died in a Jacksonville hospital. The teen mother initially professed ignorance about the incident, but her account changed over the course of several follow-up interviews.
A post-mortem examination later disclosed an alarmingly high level of fentanyl in the infant’s system. This amount of the substance could have proved lethal for up to ten adults. During another round of questioning on Tuesday, July 11, the young mother conceded she had mixed the formula with what she thought was cocaine in an effort to put the baby to sleep so she could rest.
Sheriff Leeper voiced his shock during a media conference, struggling to comprehend the rationale behind such an act. He emphasized the tragedy of the loss of life in this manner, particularly a life as young and innocent as a baby’s. The investigation also uncovered that the teenager hinted at being pregnant again.
The investigation is currently in progress to determine whether any adults who were in the house at the time will also face charges. The teenage mother, whose identity remains undisclosed, is now charged with aggravated manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance.
The investigation is being carried out by both the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families.