On December 20, 2022, 20-month-old Ty'onna Ford was found unresponsive by her mother after falling asleep in the mother's bed. The parents drove her to UF Health Shands hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:30 AM. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was acute fentanyl intoxication, with the manner of death ruled an accident. The Child Protection Team concluded the child likely accessed fentanyl left in the environment, possibly on the floor. Following the child's death, the father hid cocaine and a handgun at a relative's home, and the mother cleaned the house and disposed of drug paraphernalia. Both parents were arrested for aggravated manslaughter; the father was ultimately sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter, while the mother received two years of probation after pleading guilty to reduced charges of child neglect.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The fatality report states the cause of death was "acute fentanyl intoxication" and the CPT findings state "Fentanyl overdose. Presumably the drug was left around where she could obtain this. Perhaps from the floor." This clearly describes a child drug ingestion/overdose.
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 fatality report states DCF closed the investigation with "verified findings of death due to inadequate supervision and substance misuse-illicit drugs." The CPT findings further state: "Fentanyl overdose. Presumably the drug was left around where she could obtain this. Perhaps from the floor." This indicates the child had unsupervised access to fentanyl.
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?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Tyeon Ford (age 23) as the father. He was arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a child, and DCF identified both the mother and father as "the caregivers responsible." He pled guilty to manslaughter of a child and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Additionally, he "had hidden cocaine and a handgun at an uncle's house" after the child's death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Carlinda Miller (age 31) as the mother. She was arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a child and DCF identified her as one of "the caregivers responsible." She "cleaned the house and disposed of drug paraphernalia right after the child was pronounced deceased" and tested positive for THC. She pled guilty to child neglect.
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 fatality report states: "both parents were arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a child." The mother pled guilty to child neglect on July 21, 2023, and was sentenced to two years of probation. The father pled guilty to manslaughter of a child on October 5, 2023, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The news article also confirms arrests of both Carlinda Miller and Tyeon Ford.
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 fatality report states "The mother was drug screened and tested positive for THC. The father declined a drug screen." Further, "they discovered the father had hidden cocaine and a handgun at an uncle's house and the mother had cleaned the house and disposed of drug paraphernalia." DCF findings include "substance misuse-illicit drugs" identifying both parents as responsible.
Notable Details
The fatality report details that both parents engaged in active evidence tampering immediately after the child's death: "the father had hidden cocaine and a handgun at an uncle's house and the mother had cleaned the house and disposed of drug paraphernalia right after the child was pronounced deceased." This coordinated evidence destruction suggests both parents were aware of the dangerous conditions in the home. Additionally, there is a significant sentencing disparity: the father received 10 years in prison for manslaughter while the mother received only 2 years of probation for reduced charges of child neglect, despite both being initially charged with aggravated manslaughter. The news article also confirms both were charged with tampering with evidence.
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