Toddler died after ingesting 10 times enough fentanyl to kill an adult, Colorado DA says

A Brighton, Colorado couple have been charged with two felonies in connection with the January death of their 1-year-old daughter after the child ingested a fatal dose of fentanyl, prosecutors announced Thursday morning.

Alonzo Ray Montoya, 31, and Nicole Danielle Casias, 30, were charged with child abuse resulting in death and distribution of a controlled substance in connection with their daughter’s death.

The child died as a result of ingesting fentanyl, according to the Adams County coroner. The baby girl’s blood “contained 10 times the amount of fentanyl necessary to kill an intolerant adult user,” the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

The girl’s parents “allegedly participated in illicit drug activity with the child present in the home prior to and after her death,” prosecutors said.

Officers and emergency responders were called to the couple’s home in early January when their 23-month-old child was unresponsive and not breathing, a Brighton Police Department news release said. Officers and members of Brighton Fire Rescue and Platte Valley Ambulance performed medical measures at the scene but the child was pronounced dead.

Casias and Montoya are being held at the Adams County jail and were due in court Thursday morning.