Infant Dies With Fentanyl In System In Spotsylvania, Family Members Charged: Police

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A 9-month-old girl died with fentanyl in her system on Sunday, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said. Two family members have been charged with murder in connection with her death.

The medical examiner has not determined an official cause of death for the child, authorities said.

The child's aunt and grandmother were charged this week after an investigation.

The child's grandmother, 49-year-old Ilona C. Foster, is charged with felony child abuse, four counts of child endangerment, possession of a schedule I/II narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and felony murder.

The child's aunt, 35-year-old Stephanie S. Diomande, is charged with felony child abuse, four counts of child endangerment, possession of a schedule I/II narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, providing a false ID to law enforcement, two probation violations, and felony murder.

On Dec. 1, the 911 operators in Spotsylvania received a call about a 9-month-old child who stopped breathing, according to the police report.

First responders were on scene within a minute and provided first aid. They took the child to an area hospital, authorities said. She was later flown to VCU Children's Hospital in Richmond.

"Detectives with the Child Victims Unit learned from doctors that the infant tested positive for Fentanyl and was in critical condition," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Detectives served search warrants on the house and seized multiple suspected narcotics."

On Dec. 1, the victim's mother dropped her and two other children off at a family member's home. Investigators did not say whether the home belonged to Diomande or Foster. A fourth child in the home later tested positive for cocaine, authorities said.

This week, after investigators collected evidence and performed interviews, Diomande and Foster were charged.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline for people struggling with addiction at 1-800-662-4357.

The CDC hosts an array of resources to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to help victims who had adverse childhood experiences. More information is available on their website. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline can be reached at 800-422-4453.