SF Couple Accused Of Murder In Toddler Overdose Case

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A San Francisco couple has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal fentanyl overdose of a toddler in February, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say Michelle Price, 38, and Steve Ramirez, 43, were negligent in taking care of their two-year-old toddler, who died after ingesting fentanyl on Feb. 12.

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Authorities responded just after 5 a.m. to the couple's home in the 3900 block of 18th Street after someone called 911 to report the toddler was not breathing, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.

But by then, the child had already been dead for hours, and rigor mortis, along with lividity, was setting in, according to prosecutors.

The child was in a bed with stained sheets when authorities arrived. Fentanyl, a used Narcan container and bottles of spoiled milk surrounded the two-year-old's body, authorities said.

A toxicology later revealed there was fentanyl and Narcan in the child's bloodstream, prosecutors said, adding that the two-year-old's official cause of death was listed as acute fentanyl toxicity.

Price, the toddler's mother, meanwhile, had slurred speech, showed no emotion and had droopy eyes when interacting with officers, authorities said.

When the boy's father, Ramirez, arrived at the home shortly after and tried to flee on a bike before officers detained him, prosecutors said.

Officers caught up to him and detained him. They later found pipes with burnt residue in his possession, and he, along with Price, was taken into custody in connection with the child's death.

More tests would reveal that Price and Ramirez both had high levels of fentanyl and methamphetamine in their blood at the time of their arrest.

The couple was originally charged with felony child endangerment, possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Wednesday, prosecutors announced they were adding a second-degree murder charge, along with the allegation that the couple wilfully caused harm or injury resulting in death to a child.

Ramirez also faces additional charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting, obstructing, and delaying a peace officer, according to prosecutors.

This is the first murder filed by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose.

"I want to be clear to parents who may be struggling with substance abuse disorder: We must protect the children," District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. "We cannot have environments where fentanyl is left available to young children, to any children, in our city."