URGENT UPDATE: A 35-year-old mother and her 54-year-old grandmother were arrested in Santa Rosa after an 11-month-old baby was poisoned by fentanyl late Sunday. Authorities confirmed that the infant survived after being taken to a hospital, but this shocking incident raises serious concerns about child safety amid the ongoing opioid crisis.
According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, the baby was exposed to fentanyl around 7 p.m. on Sunday at her grandmother’s apartment on Range Avenue. The mother, identified as Shaylynne Watson, was with her four children, aged between 11 months and 9 years, at the time of the incident.
As the children played, the baby reportedly picked up a small, white substance from the floor. Watson suspected it could be fentanyl and alerted her mother, Beverly Hansel, who administered Narcan to counteract possible overdose symptoms. Alarmingly, neither woman called 911 for immediate medical assistance, according to police reports.
Later that night, approximately five hours after the exposure, Watson took the baby to an area hospital for evaluation. Upon arrival just after midnight, doctors confirmed the baby had indeed been exposed to fentanyl, prompting police involvement at 3:40 a.m. on Monday.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Hansel’s apartment later that day, uncovering numerous items of narcotics paraphernalia, including methamphetamine and black tar heroin. Many of these items were found in the room where the baby had been crawling, raising serious concerns about the environment in which the children were living.
Police concluded that both Watson and Hansel were responsible for the baby’s exposure to the dangerous substance. As a precaution, Child Protective Services intervened, removing Watson’s four children from her custody.
Watson has been charged with one count of felony child endangerment and is currently held at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. Hansel faces child endangerment and drug charges as well.
The Santa Rosa Police Department warns that fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even a tiny amount can be fatal, particularly for children who are especially vulnerable due to their smaller body size and developing systems.
As this disturbing case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the grave risks posed by opioid exposure in homes with children. The community is urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug use to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
