Authorities in Somerset County say four individuals are facing involuntary manslaughter charges in the 2022 death of a 2-year-old boy in Milford Township.
Investigators say the child was found unresponsive on April 17, 2022 and was taken to UPMC Somerset, where he later died.
Officials say the child’s cause of death was determined to be “multiple drug intoxication” as fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and xylazine were all reportedly found in his system.
“This dangerous combination of deadly drugs is unimaginable and could have easily killed an adult, let alone a two-year-old child,” the DA’s office said.
On Wednesday, police charged Jeremy Chaney, Lauren Livengood, Linda Pape and Rusty Koval for their roles in the boy’s death.
Investigators say all four of them reportedly resided in the same home and were the “designated caregivers” of the child.
According to the criminal affidavits, Livengood and Chaney were identified as the mother and father of the boy.
Police say Pape is the child’s grandmother and Koval, a “known drug user,” was reportedly staying at the residence at the time of the incident.
Troopers say various drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized from the residence, however, investigators did not specify how the child came in contact with the drugs.
Officials say, along with the involuntary manslaughter charge, they all face charges of child endangerment and reckless endangerment.
Police say Koval also faces additional charges of drug possession and evidence tampering.
According to online court records, all four individuals were arraigned Wednesday afternoon and are jailed in Somerset County.