California parents charged with murder in fentanyl overdose death of 15-month-old son
The investigation into the child's death took several months
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A pair of Southern California parents are charged with murder after their 15-month-old son died from a fentanyl overdose.
The child of Adler Metcalf, 22, and Sandy Acuna, 20, both of Jurupa Valley, 48 miles east of Los Angeles, died Sept. 1 when Riverside County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call about a child not breathing.
Adler Metcalf, 22. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
The infant died despite life-saving efforts, authorities said Wednesday. Both are charged with murder and willful harming of a child, according to jail records. Both are being held in the Riverside County jail.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Through extensive investigation by investigators from the Jurupa Valley Station and investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit, it was determined the decedent, a 15-month-old juvenile, was a victim of homicide due to a fentanyl overdose," the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.
Sandy Acuna, 20. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and can cause death or serious bodily harm. Metcalf and Acuna were arrested Wednesday without incident.
A bag of fentanyl hangs from an intravenous (IV) drip machine in a patient's room inside the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, Calif., in January.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Sheriff's Department said people need to be aware of the dangers of illegal drugs that may contain fentanyl.