A heartbreaking case out of Ohio has led to criminal charges against a mother and grandmother after a 9-month-old baby died from what officials say was a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Taletha Kropp, 43, and her daughter Leeonna Cherry, 20, were arrested on April 23 in connection with the February death of Cherry’s infant daughter, Makayla Huff, in Toledo.
According to police, the tragedy unfolded on February 19 while the baby was in her grandmother’s care. Officers say the child was found unresponsive at a home just after 4:15 p.m. Emergency crews rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she was pronounced dead less than an hour later after going into respiratory distress.
An autopsy later revealed devastating details.
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office determined that Makayla had ingested fentanyl, with a lethal amount found in both her blood and stomach. Officials ruled her cause of death as acute fentanyl toxicity and classified the manner of death as a homicide.
Investigators say the effects were immediate and severe, with reports indicating the baby would have died within seconds of ingesting the drug.
Detectives also cited witness statements claiming Cherry was aware of her mother’s ongoing drug use, including heroin believed to be laced with fentanyl.
Kropp is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children. Cherry has been charged with obstructing justice.
During a court appearance on April 24, a judge set Kropp’s bond at $1 million. Cherry was released on bond the same day.
Authorities say cases like this are rare—but tragically preventable.
Lieutenant Steve Rogers with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Drug Abuse Response Team stressed the importance of keeping all substances secured and out of reach of children.
“Proper storage and making sure it’s secure is key to preventing these tragedies,” he said, warning that even common medications can pose serious risks if not handled carefully.
Both women are scheduled to appear in court again on April 30.
