A 31-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and chronic child neglect after her 3-month-old baby died from a fentanyl overdose.
911 Call and Emergency Response
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WISN, Tashae Goodman called 911 on March 22, allegedly stating that she had slept on her baby, who was unresponsive. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the infant, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation Findings
Authorities found that the baby had no underlying medical conditions and had been fed infant formula every three to four hours.
Goodman claimed that the infant had become wedged between couch cushions and was bleeding from the nose and head prior to the 911 call. Investigators collected the bottle used during the baby’s last feeding for testing.
Phone records between Goodman and the child’s father, who was in jail at the time, showed that Goodman allegedly informed him of the baby’s death. About an hour later, she allegedly asked whether she should go to detox, according to the complaint.
Toxicology Report and Autopsy
The autopsy found no signs of illness, injury, or trauma, prompting authorities to order a toxicology report. The report, released on April 30, revealed traces of fentanyl in the baby’s bottle and both morphine and fentanyl in the infant’s bloodstream.
Statements by Goodman and Witnesses
In a May 15 interview with authorities, Goodman claimed that the drugs in the baby’s system were the result of her drug use during pregnancy. She also alleged that the residue found in the bottle came from not cleaning her house properly.
Goodman’s 10-year-old son was also interviewed. He alleged that his mother was often under the influence of drugs. According to WISN, Goodman had been administered Narcan on May 12 after allegedly overdosing and was late to pick up her son from school.
