On April 25, 2022, two-year-old Nalila Rose Johnson ingested fentanyl at the St. Cloud, Minnesota apartment she shared with her mother, Jamacy J. Johnson, and her mother's boyfriend. Fentanyl-containing pills marked M/30 were found on a desk accessible to a toddler, along with drug paraphernalia. Johnson's phone showed internet searches for "baby pill overdose" and related terms at approximately 9:35-9:44 PM, but a rideshare was not called until 10:42 PM; the child arrived at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital at 10:53 PM. Johnson initially told hospital staff the child had eaten a Benadryl tablet, but toxicology showed no trace of Benadryl and instead revealed the presence of fentanyl. The child suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage and was placed on life support. Johnson and her boyfriend left the hospital the next morning and never returned. The child died on April 27, 2022. An autopsy determined the cause and manner of death to be accidental fentanyl toxicity. Johnson was charged with second-degree manslaughter and ultimately pled guilty.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The vital records document (2022-MN-017825.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Fentanyl Toxicity" and the injury description as "Presumed Ingestion Of Illicit Substance." The KNSI article states "her child ingested fentanyl and died" and "Blood samples taken from the baby at the hospital before any drugs were administered by medical staff showed the presence of fentanyl."
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 KNSI article states that officers found blue pills "lying on a desk 'accessible to a toddler'" along with powder, a rolled up dollar bill, and foil. The Star Tribune article similarly states the search "yielded several plastic bags with pills — which later tested positive for fentanyl — accessible to a toddler, as well as powder from what appeared to be crushed-up pills on a desk." Leaving fentanyl-containing pills accessible to a toddler constitutes 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?
The KNSI article describes a significant delay in seeking medical care: internet searches for "baby pill overdose," "unresponsive child took pills," and "child unresponsive CPR" were done at approximately 9:35 and 9:44 PM, but "they didn't call for the rideshare until 10:42 p.m. and arrived at the hospital at 10:53 p.m." — approximately an hour delay. Additionally, Johnson and her boyfriend left the hospital while the child was on life support, "saying they would return, but they never did."
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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Jamacy J. Johnson is identified as the biological mother. The Star Tribune states "A 24-year-old St. Cloud woman is facing a felony manslaughter charge after her 2-year-old died from accidental fentanyl exposure." The KNSI article states "A St. Cloud woman charged with second degree manslaughter after her child ingested fentanyl and died has pled guilty." Johnson had fentanyl pills accessible to the toddler in her apartment and was purchasing fentanyl prior to the incident.
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)?
The Star Tribune states "Johnson and her boyfriend brought the child to the hospital under suspicious circumstances." The KNSI article further notes that the boyfriend was present during the events, both had outstanding warrants, and the fentanyl was found in their shared apartment. While the manslaughter charge was filed only against Johnson, the boyfriend was present in the household where drugs were accessible to the toddler and was involved in the events surrounding the child's death.
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 Star Tribune states "A 24-year-old St. Cloud woman is facing a felony manslaughter charge after her 2-year-old died from accidental fentanyl exposure." The KNSI article confirms "A St. Cloud woman charged with second degree manslaughter after her child ingested fentanyl and died has pled guilty." Johnson was arrested on a warrant and appeared in court.
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 KNSI article states that when officers went to the apartment to conduct a welfare check, "they both had outstanding warrants for their arrest." These warrants existed prior to the current incident (the child was still alive at the hospital at this point), indicating prior criminal history for both Johnson and her boyfriend, separate from the manslaughter charge that was filed later.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The KNSI article states that investigators "found pictures and videos on the phone taken just before 5:00 a.m. April 26th of Johnson smoking something off a piece of tinfoil while in a St. Cloud Hospital bathroom." It also describes text conversations about "purchasing fentanyl on several occasions in the days leading up to April 25th." Drug paraphernalia including a "rolled up dollar bill, cards used to assist in crushing up pills, and small pieces of foil commonly used to ingest fentanyl" were found in the apartment.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the KNSI article that are not fully captured by the preceding questions: (1) Johnson's phone showed internet searches for "baby pill overdose," "unresponsive child took pills," and "child unresponsive CPR" timestamped at approximately 9:35 and 9:44 PM, but she did not call for a rideshare until 10:42 PM — a delay of approximately one hour before seeking emergency care. (2) Investigators found photos and videos on Johnson's phone "taken just before 5:00 a.m. April 26th of Johnson smoking something off a piece of tinfoil while in a St. Cloud Hospital bathroom" while her child was on life support. (3) Johnson and her boyfriend left the hospital on the morning of April 26th, "saying they would return, but they never did," while the child was still on life support. (4) A five-year-old sibling was present in the apartment and was "placed in the care of another family member" after the incident. (5) Johnson failed to appear for an October hearing on the manslaughter charge, leading to an arrest warrant, and was subsequently arrested on the warrant in late 2022 or early 2023.
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