Providence Man Indicted On Murder Charge In Death Of Pawtucket Boy

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island man was indicted on murder charges in the December death of a 2-year-old Pawtucket boy, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office announced on Wednesday.

The Providence County Grand Jury returned the indictment against Stephano Castro on Sept. 1, the AG's Office said.

According to a February Patch report, police were called to a Sayles Avenue apartment the evening of Dec. 10, where they found the child unconscious. The home was in "awful condition," police said, with drug paraphernalia scattered around and a lack of "basic furniture."

The child was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His 8-year-old brother also tested positive for fentanyl exposure that night but survived, police said.

Read more: 3 Charged With Murder In Death Of Rhode Island Toddler

A two-month-long investigation including the Department of Children, Youth and Families, the Medical Examiner's Office, the Attorney General and Pawtucket police determined that the child died of fentanyl poisoning, ruling the death a homicide.

The child's mother, 26-year-old Jessaline Andrade, was arrested, along with 33-year-old Yara Chum and Castro. All three were charged with second-degree murder, and Andrade also with two counts of child cruelty.

Castro is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 21 in Providence County Superior Court.

With reporting from Rachel Nunes.