Nine-month-old Jameson Lee Hurt died on January 4, 2023, in Fayetteville (Cumberland County), North Carolina, from fentanyl toxicity in the setting of unsafe sleep. His mother, Sarah Jordin Faulkner, told detectives she injected fentanyl in the bathroom and that her son was lying beside her in bed; she awoke around 1:30 p.m. to find the 21-pound infant dead next to her. The autopsy noted that while toxicological findings alone could explain death, a hazardous sleep environment (sharing a crowded adult mattress) was a known risk factor for asphyxia. The death was ruled an accident, and the mother was later charged and ultimately pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The CANDID ID record (NC_23_1042.pdf) lists cause of death as "Poisoning," and the news article states "the child died from exposure to fentanyl" and that "the 21-pound child's cause of death was fentanyl toxicity in the setting of unsafe sleep."
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
The 2025 news article quotes the autopsy: "a hazardous sleep environment (shared sleeping surface with adults; crowded sleep surface on adult mattress) is a known risk factor for asphyxia," and notes the death was "fentanyl toxicity in the setting of unsafe sleep."
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The mother was directly involved; the 2025 article states Faulkner "awoke to find her 9-month-old son dead in bed next to her" and "told detectives that her son was lying beside her after she injected fentanyl in the bathroom." She pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in his death.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The 2023 article states Sarah Jordin Faulkner "is charged with second-degree murder and negligent child abuse inflicting serious injury in the death of her 9-month-old son," and the 2025 article reports she "pleaded guilty May 8 to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter" and was "sentenced to 20 to 33 months in prison."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The 2025 article describes the mother's "drug addiction," that she "injected fentanyl in the bathroom," and that she "entered drug rehabilitation in November 2024," with the judge recommending "substance abuse treatment."
Notable Details
The 2025 article notes a broader systemic pattern: "Jameson was one of two children who died of fentanyl exposure in Fayetteville in 2023," referencing a separate case of Tiana Ronaleigh Johnson and her 1-year-old daughter Ke'Yana Shontel Swinson. It also notes the lengthy delay in arrest ("Faulkner was arrested Dec. 18, 2023, 11 months after her son's death") and that she was "rearrested in March after failing to appear in court in October while out on bail," reflecting notable case-handling details.
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