Delco Woman Sold Deadly Fentanyl Dose To Local Man: DA

MEDIA, PA – A Delaware County woman is behind bars after allegedly selling a dose of fentanyl to a Parkside man that ended up killing him, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Alexandria Santa Barbara, 39, of Chester, has been arrested and charged with felony delivery of a controlled substance, felony delivery of a controlled substance, and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal overdose of a 51-year-old Parkside man in March, the DA's office said. The drug delivery death charge alone carries a statutory maximum 20 to 40 years in state prison.

Santa Barbara is accused of selling the man fentanyl on March 29, the same day he died, according to the DA's office.

Parkside Borough Police were called to a home at about 8:19 p.m. March 29 for a report of an unconscious man.

Police arrived and found the man slouched over on the floor. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Delaware County Medical Examiner's office ruled acute fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death. The ME's office also tested a powder found in the home and determined it was fentanyl.

Authorities launched in investigation and learned that Santa Barbara had told a friend she sold the man a "bad bag" of drugs and that she felt guilty for his death, the DA's office said.

Then on May 16, Santa Barbara confirmed to police that she delivered the drugs to the man on March 29.

"We know that opioids are tearing families apart across Pennsylvania and in Delaware County, and that these drugs are more deadly than ever since they are often laced with fentanyl or are pure fentanyl which causes an instantaneous fatal overdose," District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said. "In the case of Alexandria Santa Barbara, because of her actions, one life has been unjustly taken, and her own life has been destroyed. For families affected by opioids, holding drug dealers accountable for their actions is one way to help prevent such future tragedies. By exposing their actions and making them pay for their injustice, we as law enforcement, can take steps towards prevention, even if it will not bring a loved one back. In addition to prosecution, we are also taking proactive steps to address this epidemic through our Delaware County Heroin Task Force and Certified Recovery Specialist program to connect residents who are struggling with addiction with treatment and recovery resources."

Santa Barbara was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility after failing to post 10 percent of $500,000 bail at her June 5 preliminary hearing. She is slated to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 14.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office