At least three babies have died of overdose involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl in the Bay Area of Northern California since May, with a San Jose couple recently charged in the August death of their 18-month-old daughter.
Derek Vaughn Rayo, 27, and Kelly Gene Richardson, 28, were both charged with murder on Nov. 22 in the child’s death from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, authorities said.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered the baby had been dead for hours. While searching the residence, investigators found fentanyl on the nightstand in the master bedroom, a scraping tool with fentanyl residue on the desk, and another scraping tool with fentanyl on a rug beneath the child’s body, according to the district attorney’s office.
Earlier this month, the county Coroner’s Office disclosed that the baby’s blood showed a high fentanyl concentration, surpassing the lethal amount by over 14 times, the district attorney’s office said.
Both Mr. Rayo and Ms. Richardson also had fentanyl and other opioids in their systems at the time of the child’s death.
Homicide detectives seized several electronic devices owned by the couple, revealing text and social media messages indicating evidence of narcotic use in the house while the child was present. Additionally, Ms. Richardson’s phone contained photographs and videos showing Mr. Rayo smoking narcotics near the baby, according to the district attorney’s office.
The office also said that the couple asked others to leave narcotics in open and unsecure locations within the house, accessible to the toddler. Individuals residing with the couple, as well as Ms. Richardson herself, expressed concerns about narcotic use around the baby.
According to police, Mr. Rayo, who has been in custody since Aug. 13 on an unrelated warrant, was served with the homicide charge on Nov. 21. Ms. Richardson was arrested on Nov. 22.
If convicted, they face at least 15 years to life in prison.
The case marks the first time the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has pressed charges against parents for the murder of their own child in a fentanyl-related death.
Other Recent Deaths
In the City of Fremont in Alameda County, a 26-year-old woman was arrested for murder in a similar case earlier this month after the death of her nearly 2-year-old son from fentanyl exposure.On the morning of Oct. 18, the 23-month-old boy was transported to a hospital by his mother—identified as Sophia Gastelum-Vera—and relatives after being discovered unresponsive and not breathing. Unfortunately, the boy was later pronounced deceased.
During a search of the residence, officers found evidence of drug use in the shared bedroom of the mother and son, according to the Fremont Police Department. Additionally, toxicology tests revealed that the toddler had a high level of fentanyl in his system at the time of his death, police said.
The charges were filed weeks after the father of 3-month-old Phoenix Castro was charged in her death from ingesting fentanyl and methamphetamine in May at her parents’ San Jose apartment.
San Jose Police responded to the residence on Spinnaker Walkway on May 13, discovering Phoenix unconscious. In the kitchen area of the apartment, they found fentanyl, broken glass pipes, and aluminum foil. A baby bottle filled with liquid was sitting next to glass pipes on the kitchen counter, according to the district attorney’s office.
Police also discovered Narcan, a brand name of the drug naloxone used to revive individuals from overdoses. Tragically, Phoenix was later pronounced dead.
The mother of the infant was not at home when the baby died. She died of an overdose in September.
