Livermore Man Arrested In Connection With Fentanyl Death Of Baby

LIVERMORE, CA — A Livermore man was arrested and charged with homicide Wednesday in connection with the death of his 23-month-old daughter, who was found with Fentanyl in her blood at the time of her death, Livermore police said Thursday.

On Aug. 18, Livermore police responded to reports of a 23-month-old not breathing. After performing life-saving measures, the baby was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Autopsy and toxicology reports determined that the baby had toxic levels of fentanyl in her blood at the time of her death, according to police. Livermore resident Justin Pittman, 22, told detectives that he was a fentanyl addict. An investigation determined that Pittman was the baby’s sole caretaker the day of his death.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Pittman’s arrest, and he was arrested Wednesday in Martinez without incident. He has been charged with homicide and child endangerment, and is currently being held at Santa Rita Jail with no bail. He is set to be arraigned Friday morning.

“Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug and impacts the lives of many,” Livermore Police Chief Jeramy Young said in an interview. “Fentanyl use and the illegal distribution of the drug is a nationwide epidemic. This is a tragic loss for the family and our community, and I look forward to justice being served so there is some closure.”

The police department said that there have been four fentanyl-related deaths in Livermore in 2022.