Petaluma Mom Guilty In Son's Overdose A No-Show For Sentencing

PETALUMA, CA – The sentencing of a Petaluma woman in connection with the drug overdose of her son was postponed in Sonoma County Superior Court today because she refused to come to court.

Danielle Faletto, 35, pleaded guilty in July to felony child endangerment. She faces up to 12 years in prison on that charge relating to the fentanyl overdose death of her 16-year-old son Brayden George in a Petaluma residence on April 16, but she also has two prior strikes for felony convictions that could add to her prison time.

Her sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 21, but she requested a postponement so she could read letters that were submitted to the court, according to the teen's family members.

Supporters of Brayden George, including his father and grandparents, were clearly angry when they learned Faletto refused to come to court. Judge Bradford DeMeo said he had no choice but to continue the
sentencing until Tuesday.

"She will be here whether she wants to or not," DeMeo said.

The judge ordered correctional deputies to bring Faletto to court "by any means necessary."

Faletto's defense attorney Lynnette Brown objected to any use of force to bring her client to court next week.
George's grandfather Nelson Pinola, a former Sonoma County sheriff's deputy, said Faletto is "manipulating the system."

"She's responsible for the death of my grandson," Pinola said after the sentencing was postponed. "We are here to give statements and she refuses to come because she's distressed with what we have to say."

"It's our right to say what she did to us. She's destroyed our life," Pinola said.

Petaluma police arrested Faletto, also known as Danielle Foernsler, on suspicion of manslaughter and child endangerment. They arrived around 4:15 a.m. on April 16 at a residence on Vallejo Street where the teen
was found unconscious. He was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital and was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.
Police said Faletto gave a false name and said she was George's cousin.

She later admitted giving a false name because she had outstanding warrants for her arrest, then admitted she was George's mother, police said.

Police said Faletto knew her son was in possession of Xanax that possibly contained fentanyl, and that Faletto also appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• North Bay Mom Pleads Guilty In Son's Overdose Death
• Petaluma Teen Dies Of Suspected Drug Overdose; 2 Arrested
• Sonoma County Mom Charged In Son's Overdose Death

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