A Georgia mother is under investigation Cobb County police say her deceased son had fentanyl in his bloodstream.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, Jocelyn Romero said that her son “silently choked on a piece of bread” while sleeping next to her at their Kenwood Creek Apartments residence in Smyrna. She claimed she woke up and he seemed fine until she briefly left the room.
The toxicology report reveals a contrasting narrative, according to investigators, Channel 2 Action News reports.
A month before the victim’s death, Homeland Security agents conducted a raid on Romero’s residence, confiscating fentanyl and almost 30 grams of cocaine. It was later discovered that the victim had unrestricted access to the drugs, leading to charges against Romero for trafficking and reckless conduct.
“It’s really kind of hard to hear, really. Having a 3-year-old that just turned three,” neighbor Brianna Lee told the outlet. “She wasn’t caring for the child. If you got raided for drugs you weren’t caring for that child in no way, shape, or form.”
Channel 2’s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell contacted the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and asked why the defendant still had custody of the boy after the drug charges. The station was given the following statement.
“DHS/DFCS is bound by both state and federal law to protect the privacy of the people we serve. As such, we are unable to comment on the specifics of any reported abuse or neglect cases. We take seriously every report that might be made to the agency and work with law enforcement when appropriate to ensure the safety of Georgia’s children.”
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Jocelyn Romero/Cobb County Police Department]
