Parents Charged After Fentanyl Found in Body of 8-Month-Old Daughter

Steven Gilchrist and Jocelyn Belmore -Coventry Police Department
Steven Gilchrist and Jocelyn Belmore -Coventry Police Department

It is not clear how the drugs ended up in the child's system.

Two Rhode Island parents are facing jail time, if convicted, after their 8-month-child, who died last week, was found to have fentanyl in her system.

Steven Gilchrist and Jocelyn Belmore, both 32, were arrested Tuesday and each charged with felony cruelty to or neglect of a child. 

The couple’s daughter, Mia Dorothy Gilchrist, was found unresponsive on Nov. 19 after authorities received a call from the parents.

She was taken to the hospital where she died, reports said. 

A cause of death was undetermined, reports said.

An investigation revealed that fentanyl was present in the baby girl’s body.

It’s not clear how the drug entered the child's body, reports said.

Gilchrist and Belmore both have minor criminal records, including larceny, shoplifting and domestic violence charges for Gilchrist and driving under the influence and traffic violations for Belmore, Fox News reported

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families said Gilchrist was known to them through an unrelated case having to do with a family member.

A judge set bail for the parents at $50,000 each.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

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