Authorities in Pennsylvania recently charged 28-year-old Thalia Matos with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment following the July 2025 death of her 2-month-old son, Royce Coxson, in Carbondale near Scranton. The incident involved co-sleeping, where Matos admitted to sharing a bed with Royce and her 5-year-old daughter after using marijuana laced with formaldehyde, as confirmed by blood tests and neighbor reports of an embalming fluid smell.
Incident Details
Royce died from asphyxia due to mechanical compression, consistent with co-sleeping risks, and the coroner ruled it a homicide. Matos initially claimed she was alone with the children, but surveillance footage showed multiple visitors entering and exiting the apartment beforehand. Police recovered marijuana and paraphernalia from the scene, and Matos had prior hospital training on safe sleep practices warning against co-sleeping.
Legal Proceedings
Matos was arrested on Monday, February 2, 2026, arraigned, and released on $40,000 unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 17 in Lackawanna County. District Attorney Brian Gallagher stressed accountability for impaired caregiving, noting infants’ total reliance on adults.
