Mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after 4-month-old baby dies of fentanyl toxicity
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Pittsburgh woman is facing involuntary manslaughter charges after her baby died with fentanyl in his system.
According to court paperwork, an arrest warrant was issued for 33-year-old Katie Grimes. She was taken into custody on Wednesday.
Police say that toxicology reports and the Allegheny County medical examiner determined her child, 4-month-old Naoki Hines, had fentanyl in his system after Grimes found him unresponsive in her Carrick home along Brownsville Road.
The child was taken to Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"It is just another tragedy that we see in our county, and our hearts go out," said Jerrel Gilliam, the executive director of Light of Life.
Investigators say they found a stamp bag inside the home while collecting evidence.
"When the pandemic came, the focus kind of went away from the opioid crisis but actually those numbers have continued to grow. And right now, we set another record this last year of the number of overdose deaths," said Gilliam.
Gilliam said this tragedy is another sign to stay vigilant because people are suffering and the community can help.
"It's about being a good neighbor, and when our hearts are heavy with something like this, we ought to just take a moment to pause and think — are there people around us, is there a neighbor or a relative that we have a concern about? — make the call, reach out, encourage them to get help," said Gilliam. "You could save a life."
Gilliam said there are many treatment services available. The Light of Life has a women's center, recovery program and other resources filled with staff waiting to help people.
Grimes is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment and drug charges.