Mother Arrested After 20-Month-Old Dies Of Fentanyl Overdose: Police

GAINESVILLE, VA — A woman wanted in connection with the overdose death of her 20-month-old child turned herself in on Tuesday, according to the Prince William County Police Department. The child died shortly after consuming fentanyl at a home in Gainesville in June, police said.

The woman, 37-year-old Tiffany Nicole Stokes, is charged with felony homicide, felony child neglect, and possession of a schedule I or schedule II narcotic.

If convicted of all charges, Stokes could face up to 51 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines. Her court date is pending and her bond is listed as unavailable.

The police department began an investigation on June 23, 2022 around 3 a.m. At that time, first responders were called to the Somerset Pointe Apartments in Gainesville for an unconscious child, police said.

Stokes, the child's mother, told emergency personnel that she was co-sleeping with her child and found him unconscious when she woke up, according to the police report.

The boy died after first responders took him to a nearby hospital. After his death, the boy's body was taken to the medical examiner's office for an autopsy.

"At the time of the death, no suspicious or unusual circumstances were determined to have occurred," the police department said. "In early August, investigators received preliminary findings from the OCME [Office of the Chief Medical Examiner] indicating the child reportedly had a lethal amount of fentanyl in his blood, which caused his death."

Detectives determined the boy consumed an illicit fentanyl pill on either June 22 or June 23, which caused his death. Investigators said Stokes had access to Percocet pills that were not prescribed to her.

Stokes was officially charged last week after authorities reviewed the finalized report from the medical examiner. Authorities were unable to locate her until she turned herself in on Tuesday.

Prince William County Community Services offers support and resources for families affected by drug use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-662-4357.