2-year-old dies of fentanyl overdose in NC town. Mother charged after leaving state
After a yearlong investigation, police charged a woman with second-degree murder after her child swallowed a fatal dose of fentanyl while they were living in Mooresville.
Even a pencil tip amount of the synthetic opioid pain reliever drug can be fatal, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
U.S. Marshals arrested 23-year-old Riley Tehy Wormington on Tuesday in Denver, Colorado, according to a Mooresville Police Department news release Friday.
Police tried to save child
On Feb. 13, 2024, police responded to a medical call at a home in the 400 block of Ridge Avenue in Mooresville involving a child under 2.
“Despite lifesaving efforts, the child did not survive,” according to Friday’s police statement.
The child died of fentanyl toxicity, police said the investigation revealed.
Wormington moved to Colorado soon after giving birth to a second child, police said. Police were still investigating the death of her first child at the time.
Police obtained warrants also charging Wormington with felony counts of child abuse, possession of a schedule II controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Regarding her second child, Wormington was charged with child abuse, possession of a schedule II-controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance, all felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for arresting Wormington. She will be returned to Iredell County, police said.