Florida Couple Charged In 2-Year-Old's Death Due To Fentanyl Overdose

A Florida couple has been charged after their 2-year-old daughter died from a fentanyl overdose.

The parents, Joseph Tierney, 36, and Jalynn Davis, 36, were arrested Wednesday and have been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection to the death of their daughter Miya Tierney.

Marion County Sheriff’s office received a report of an unconscious toddler in June. Officers responded to the scene, which was located at Southeast Highway 42 in Umatilla. The toddler was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The couple told the police that they left their sleeping daughter alone in a bedroom as they had sexual intercourse, WPEC reported. Later, when they checked on her, they found the girl unresponsive and vomit was coming out of her mouth. The couple then called 911.

Recently, an autopsy report of the child revealed that she died of fentanyl toxicity. According to the police, Davis sold fentanyl, while her partner Joseph was an active user of the drug.

"Based upon the investigation, probable cause was developed that Davis and Tierney were criminally responsible for Miya’s death based upon their having brought her to a known drug location and by failing to protect her from the fentanyl present at the location," the sheriff’s office said in a statement on Facebook.

Joseph is being held in Marion County Jail with no bond for witness tampering and aggravated assault charges, WESH reported.

Davis is being held in Lake County jail for murder in a death caused by the unlawful distribution of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

"The senseless death of this innocent child is the ultimate tragedy, and it should serve as a reminder of why we must continue our fight to keep opiates out of our communities," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in the statement. "If you are using drugs or selling drugs, and if somebody overdoses or dies as a result, me and my deputies will do everything we can to hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law," the Sheriff said.