Toddler Dead, Parents Arrested When Fentanyl Found: Santa Rosa PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 15-month-old baby died Monday and her parents were taken into custody after fentanyl was found throughout their residence, Santa Rosa police said.

Officers responded at 10:39 a.m. Monday to a report that a toddler was unresponsive at a residence in the 800 block of Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said.

Personnel with the Santa Rosa Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services were also dispatched.

When officers got to the residence, the toddler was not breathing. Paramedics began life-saving measures and the child was rushed to a local hospital where she later died.

"Officers who arrived first on the scene noticed suspected fentanyl near where the toddler was found," Mahurin said. "Detectives from SRPD’s Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Team, Violent Crimes Team, and Narcotic Team took over the investigation. Based on the circumstances, detectives authored a search warrant for the Sonoma Avenue residence."

While serving the search warrant, officers found suspected fentanyl and fentanyl paraphernalia, according to police.

"Packaged and unpacked suspected fentanyl and fentanyl paraphernalia were also found in numerous parts of the primary bedroom, including in the bed the toddler shared with her parents," Mahurin said.

The toddler’s parents, 26-year-old Evan Frostick and 23-year-old Madison Bernard, both of Santa Rosa, were arrested on suspicion of felony cruelty to a child likely to produce great bodily injury or death.

Frostick and Bernard were each being held in lieu of $100,000 bail Monday evening pending court appearances scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, jail records showed.

"An autopsy, including toxicology, will be conducted on the toddler later this week," Mahurin said. "Based on the results of the autopsy and toxicology report, the Santa Rosa Police Department may seek additional charges."

The police department said the child's name was not being released at this time.