3-Year-Old Dies After Ingesting Fentanyl, Mom Now Accused Of Murder: Sheriff

A toddler died from a drug overdose in North Carolina and now his mom faces murder charges, police said.

Last week, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina announced charges against Ana Jones, 32. She was charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse.

On March 16, deputies responded to a Pembroke, North Carolina, home for a cardiac arrest.

When police arrived, a family member was giving CPR to Uriah Steen Jr., 3, according to the sheriff’s office. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined the child died after ingesting fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is often mixed with other drugs to enhance the effects. But a small amount can be deadly.

Police arrested Jones and she is being held in jail on $300,000 bond.

“This is just an absolute tragic loss of one of the youngest members of our county," Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said. “The loss of anyone is tragic enough but to have been caused by the careless and illegal actions of a parent is sad. This is the reason we will continue to do our part in fighting this fentanyl epidemic. People must be held accountable for their actions and the courts must do it’s part in addressing this problem”.