A Massachusetts woman is facing charges after the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who authorities allege died from fentanyl poisoning.
Dayanna FamilyThe Boston girl is accused of lying to EMS personnel and police who responded to her daughter’s medical emergency on Aug. 17.
Prosecutors revealed in court during Familia’s arraignment on Monday, October 26, that she told first responders that her daughter “drank milk when she turned blue and maybe fell into a cockroach trap,” according to NBC10 Boston.
Prosecutors argued that Familia, 35, likely knew her daughter had consumed fentanyl, but that she left it out, resulting in the girl’s death.
“Despite knowing the true cause of the child’s medical condition, she misled officers and EMS, and in doing so, obstructed the life-saving techniques and medical procedures that EMS attempted to perform to save her daughter’s life,” said the Suffolk County Deputy District Attorney. Allyson Portney he said in court, according to Boston 25 News.
Boston police took Familia into custody in Dedham on Saturday, Oct. 24, in connection with an outstanding arrest warrant issued out of Dorchester, according to the Boston Police Department.
Familia was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter, possession of a class A drug, destruction of evidence and willfully misleading an investigator in a criminal investigation, the department said in a press release.
Her daughter was pronounced dead Aug. 17 after officers responding to her medical emergency found her unresponsive at a Dorchester residence, according to police.
Police said an autopsy revealed his death was due to “acute fentanyl intoxication.”
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Police officers eventually found fentanyl at the Dorchester home, according to Boston 25 News.
Familia did not admit her guilt, according to the press outlet, which described her daughter as innocent at her trial. Liyanna Bautista Family.
Following Familia’s defense lawyer, it was reported that Familia’s bail was set at $250,000, as requested by prosecutors. Rosalinda RefslandHe asked for $10,000 bail.
“Miss Familia has no prior criminal record, we do not believe she is a danger to the community. She has not been charged with any crime, she has no convictions on her record,” Refsland said, according to Boston 25 News.
Following Liyanna’s death, a woman who identified herself as the girl’s aunt Anay Mercedescreated a GoFundMe to support the family.
“Liyanna was such a beautiful little girl and had so much life ahead of her,” Mercedes wrote on the page. “At only four years old, she should be spending her days playing, laughing, learning, and enjoying being a little girl. Unfortunately, our family is now faced with a situation we never imagined we would experience.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text the Child Helpline at 1-800-422-4453.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).