Mother indicted after fentanyl intoxication death of toddler
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Sloan woman has been indicted in connection to the alleged fentanyl intoxication death of her 15-month-old son, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
32-year-old Rachael Alicea is accused of causing the death of her son, Theodore Alicea Smith, by exposing the child to fentanyl inside of a home on William Street in Cheektowaga.
Police responded to the home on Nov. 19, 2023 to the report of the child not breathing. The 15-month-old was taken to Sisters Hospital St. Joseph Campus, where he died later that day.
“This is a very sad case where a child tragically lost his young life, but it is a crime that could have been prevented," acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said in a news release.
Alicea is charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
She was held on $100,000 bail. A return court date has not yet been scheduled.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.