Charlotte mom charged after toddler dies from exposure to drugs, CMPD says

A toddler died early Friday after being exposed to crack cocaine and fentanyl at a west Charlotte motel, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The girl was identified as 1-year-old Kamelah Doris Michilena, and her mother is a suspect in the case, CMPD said in court documents.

Investigators say the girl went into cardiac arrest around 1:20 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the Studios & Suites 4 Less Charlotte on Queen City Drive.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered a juvenile patient who was not breathing. The patient was transported by MEDIC to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased,” police said.

Brionce Parks, 26, who lived at the motel, was arrested and has been charged with felony child abuse and exposing a child to a controlled substance, police said. Court documents identify her as one of the child’s parents.

Details of how the child came into contact with the narcotics were not released.

Parks is accused of being “grossly negligent” and “reckless” in her parenting, an arrest warrant says.

The 3400 block of Queen City Drive is lined with hotels and motels. It is just north of the intersection of Interstate 85 and Billy Graham Parkway in west Charlotte.

This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 6:20 AM.