A growing number of parents across the U.S. are being criminally charged with murder or manslaughter after their children die from exposure to fentanyl.
Some 20 states have so-called “drug-induced homicide” laws, which allow prosecutors to press murder or manslaughter charges against anyone who supplies or exposes a person to drugs causing a fatal overdose. The laws are intended to target drug dealers.
The debate comes as the country battles with how to effectively diminish the use of the highly accessible and extremely deadly drug. “This is really a first in the history of our country because we have a drug on the streets that can potentially kill you instantly with a minor amount of product,” Smith said.
States such as Maryland that don’t have “drug-induced homicide” laws often charge parents with manslaughter, Smith said.Prosecutors in Riverside, Sonoma and Stanislaus counties have charged parents with murder based on the “Watson advisement,” a formal statement signed by anyone convicted of a DUI charge who says they understand driving under the influence can injure or kill people. The statement can be used against them if they cause another fatal, DUI-related crash.
The girl’s paternal grandmother also said in court documents that Waite used drugs while she was pregnant.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Child molester pleads guilty to touching child at store in SLOBy KAREN VELIE A repeat child molester pleaded guilty to child molestation after he grabbed the bottom of a 10-year-old child at Bath and Body Works in downtown San Luis Obispo. Jonathan Oscar Davi…
Read more »
Mommy blogger's child escaped home through window with wrists, ankles wrapped in duct tape: policeOne of Ruby Franke's six children reportedly escaped through a window and asked for help from a neighbor who noticed duct tape wrapped around the victim's wrists and ankles.
Read more »
The Morning After: 50 attorneys general urge Congress to fight AI-generated child sexual abuse imagesThe biggest news stories this morning: The Android logo gets a new look, 50 attorneys general urge Congress to fight AI-generated child sexual abuse images, United Airlines grounded flights for an hour after a bad software update..
Read more »
Prattville man indicted in the death of a childA Prattville man has been indicted in the death of a child under the age of six.
Read more »