North County toddler dies after ingesting fentanyl; three charged

NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KMOV) - A man and two women are facing charges after a toddler in North County ingested fentanyl and then died.

Amanda Tufts, 35, and James Collins, 25, are charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death and endangering the welfare of a child by creating a substantial risk. Both are being held without bond. Lori Garrett, 49, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, child neglect and unlawful possession of a firearm. She is being held on $250,000 cash-only bond.

Police say Tufts was the mother, and Garrett was the grandmother of the child.

Police tell News 4 the child ingested fentanyl at some point on November 10. Then, the next day, they received a call just before 2:30 p.m. that a child was unresponsive at a home in the 200 block of Northport Hills Drive. The child, a 21-month-old, was later pronounced dead.

Officers say the child tested positive for fentanyl and added that they found capsules, drug paraphernalia, powder residue, and guns in the home. Tufts and Collins told officers they knew that the child had ingested fentanyl but did not seek medical attention for her, police say.

Another toddler was home at the time and was exposed to drugs, paraphernalia and guns, police allege. That child was evaluated and determined to be in good health.

There will be a walk for drug addiction and mental health awareness on December 18 at Anthonino’s on Macklind in south St. Louis. Money raised will go to the Harris House and Surviving Overdose and Understanding Loss(SOUL).

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