Charlie Jo Ross, a 21-month-old girl, died on July 29, 2022, in Sammamish, Washington, from acute combined fentanyl and methamphetamine intoxication. Her parents, Robert Ross and Mirela "Kate" Kokoszka, were fentanyl users and dealers who stored and used fentanyl pills in the bedroom where the child lived and slept. Loose fentanyl pills were left on the nightstand next to candy within reach of the child. The child was put to bed on the evening of July 28, woke during the night likely due to hot weather, was fed and changed, and fell back asleep around 1 a.m. An hour later, her mother found her unresponsive and face down on the bed. Small blue chunks of what appeared to be fentanyl pills were found on the pillows and blankets, and a partially dissolved pill reportedly fell from the child's mouth or clothing. Her toxicology showed extremely high levels of fentanyl (17 ng/mL) and methamphetamine (11 ng/mL). Both parents were charged with first-degree manslaughter and drug dealing offenses.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The ME report (WA_22_654.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Acute combined fentanyl and methamphetamine intoxication." The news article states a "partially dissolved pill reportedly fell from the girl's mouth or clothing when she was taken from the bed," and that the toddler's toxicology report showed "17 nanograms of fentanyl and 11 nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of blood."
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)?
The news article states that the parents "recklessly left loose pills lying next to candy" within reach of the child, and that a week before the death, Kokoszka found the child "playing with and throwing M30 fentanyl pills onto the bedroom floor." Three loose fentanyl pills "were found in the drawer next to candy, easily in reach of this mobile and active little girl." The parents were aware of the danger yet left the pills accessible, demonstrating inappropriate supervision.
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 news article describes the child's sleeping environment as containing fentanyl pills on the nightstand inches from the bed, and "Fluid stains and 'small blue chunks' of what appeared to be fentanyl pills were later found across pillows and a blanket at the top of the bed." The child was found "face down on the bed" where deadly drugs were accessible, constituting an unsafe sleeping environment.
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The news article identifies Robert Ross as one of the parents charged with first-degree manslaughter. The child's full name per the ME report is Charlie Jo Ross, sharing the father's surname. The article states Ross "drove to Seattle and bought 600 fentanyl pills" the day before his daughter died, and gave most to Kokoszka. He is also charged with dealing fentanyl from the home.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article identifies Mirela "Kate" Kokoszka as the mother, also charged with first-degree manslaughter. Her fingerprints were found on empty baggies and burnt tinfoil from the nightstand, and "a couple of friends told investigators they had previously seen Kokoszka smoke fentanyl in bed with her daughter present." The article refers to them collectively as "her parents."
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 news article states: "Robert Ross, 38, and Mirela 'Kate' Kokoszka, 32, have each been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of their daughter." They "were taken into custody hours apart Friday and booked into the King County Jail. Each is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail."
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?
The news article states: "Ross has prior felony convictions for burglary, theft, taking a motor vehicle without permission and possession of a stolen vehicle." These are prior convictions separate from the current manslaughter charges.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article states that "everyone in their friend group — including Ross and Kokoszka — is addicted to fentanyl." Additionally, "a couple of friends told investigators they had previously seen Kokoszka smoke fentanyl in bed with her daughter present." Ross admitted to buying 600 fentanyl pills the day before his daughter's death, and Kokoszka's fingerprints were found on "burnt tinfoil" used to smoke pills.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the source text. First, the parents were not only users but were actively dealing fentanyl out of their home, with 497 pills found during the search and multiple witnesses corroborating the dealing. Second, home security camera footage set up near the bed was deleted seven hours after the child's death while deputies and detectives were still present at the house, suggesting potential evidence tampering. Third, just one week before the child's death, Kokoszka found the child "playing with and throwing M30 fentanyl pills onto the bedroom floor," demonstrating prior awareness of the specific danger that ultimately caused the child's death with no corrective action taken. Fourth, there is a notable discrepancy between the ME's official manner of death ruling of "Undetermined" and the prosecutors' decision to charge both parents with first-degree manslaughter, which may reflect evidentiary or legal strategy considerations.
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