Phoenix parents arrested after fentanyl found in toddler’s system

PHOENIX — Phoenix police on Tuesday arrested the parents of a toddler after fentanyl was found in the child’s system, authorities said.

Anna Chavez, 23, and her husband Marvin Gray, 38, were each charged with one count of child abuse after their 1-year-old boy consumed the illegal drug and became unresponsive, according to the probable cause statement.

Authorities were called to the couple’s residence near the intersection of 67th Avenue and Indian School Road just before 3:30 p.m. and gave the boy two doses of Narcan, a nasal spray that can help reverse an opioid overdose.

The toddler became responsive and was taken to the hospital, where a third dose of Narcan was administered following a test that revealed the presence of fentanyl, according to the probable cause statement.

Phoenix police conducted a search warrant of the couple’s apartment and found eight M30 pills and approximately $11,000, authorities said.

Chavez told police she didn’t know how the boy was exposed to fentanyl, adding she cleans the home and there could not have been M30 pills in the residence.

Chavez said she gave the boy a bottle at 8 a.m. and he did not show signs of distress, according to the probable cause statement.

She took a nap from 11 a.m. until around 2:30 p.m. when she was awakened by Gray, who then left to pick up his stepdaughter from school, authorities said.

Chavez said the toddler was sleeping in his room when she gave him another bottle after Gray left and discovered the boy was breathing abnormally, according to the probable cause statement.

She then called 911 and was directed on how to give the toddler CPR, authorities said.

The couple is expected to appear in court next week.

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