The parents of a two-year-old girl who passed away from a fentanyl overdose in their California residence have been charged with murder, as announced by the San Francisco District Attorney. The DA accused the couple of demonstrating a “conscious disregard for human life.”
This legal action was initiated two months following the tragic death of the toddler, which the medical examiner attributed to acute fentanyl toxicity, according to District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
On February 12, San Francisco police responded to a 911 call reporting that a child was unresponsive. Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel declared the girl dead at the scene, having observed signs of rigor mortis and lividity, indicating she had been deceased for several hours, as detailed in a press release from the district attorney’s office.
The girl’s parents, 38-year-old Michelle Price and her partner, 43-year-old Steve Ramirez, were initially charged with felony child endangerment, along with possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
On Wednesday, Jenkins revealed that her office had filed an amended complaint, adding second-degree murder charges against both parents, alleging they willfully inflicted harm that resulted in the child’s death.
A judge subsequently issued bench warrants for the parents after they failed to attend a court hearing regarding the amended complaint on Thursday, according to court documents.
Price is currently represented by a public defender, who has chosen not to comment on the case at this time. ABC News has attempted to contact Ramirez’s legal representative for a statement.
Jenkins noted that this case represents the first homicide charge linked to a fatal fentanyl overdose her office has pursued.
Prosecutors indicated that a used Narcan container was found at the scene and toxicology results revealed the presence of naloxone (Narcan) in addition to fentanyl in the toddler’s system.
Jenkins emphasized that the existence and use of Narcan indicated that the parents were aware of the potential risks associated with fentanyl yet still allowed their child access to the substance.
She expressed her belief that the murder charges were justified, asserting, “It was evident to me that these parents understood the lethal nature and risks of fentanyl.”
The district attorney identified the toxicology report as the “most significant piece of evidence” necessary for pursuing murder charges, noting that her office had been waiting for confirmation on the cause of death.
Jenkins explained, “Our argument will hinge on the conscious disregard for human life. This was not an intentional act of murder; rather, they were aware of the dangers posed by fentanyl but still allowed it to be accessible to their child in a manner we believe to be reckless.”
When police arrived on February 12, Ramirez reportedly attempted to escape on a bicycle, resisted arrest, and injured an officer during his detention, according to prosecutors. Officers discovered two glass pipes near him and a third pipe in a bag attached to his bicycle, leading to an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a peace officer.
Prosecutors reported that both Price and Ramirez had “high levels” of fentanyl and methamphetamine in their systems at the time of their arrest.
“I want to emphasize to parents who may be dealing with substance use disorders that protecting the children of San Francisco is our top priority, and this responsibility is one I take very seriously,” Jenkins remarked.
