Liliana Leake
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CANDID ID: MO_22_540
AGE
1   year
STATE
Missouri
DATE OF DEATH
11/11/2022
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Liliana Leake, a 21-month-old girl, died on November 11, 2022, from fentanyl intoxication in unincorporated St. Louis County, Missouri. Police believe she ingested fentanyl on November 10 while living at a residence in the 200 block of Northport Hills Drive with three adults — Amanda Tufts, James Collins, and Lori Garrett — all of whom admitted to knowing the child had ingested fentanyl but intentionally did not seek medical attention. Officers responding to a call for a sick child found powder residue, capsules, firearms, and drug paraphernalia in the home; a second toddler present was also found to have been exposed to controlled substances. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by fentanyl intoxication, with additional findings of methamphetamine exposure. All three adults were charged with child endangerment and related offenses.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The medical examiner report (MO_22_540.pdf) lists "Fentanyl intoxication" as the cause of death. The FOX 2 article states "Liliana Leake died at 21 months old after ingesting fentanyl." The homicide tracker article states the child "was pronounced dead after testing positive for fentanyl at a hospital on Nov. 11."

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 child, a 21-month-old toddler, was able to access and ingest fentanyl in the home. The FOX 2 article notes "Another toddler-age child at the home was exposed to controlled substances and other paraphernalia" and "Responding officers later found powder residue, capsules and firearms inside the home." The presence of drugs and paraphernalia accessible to toddlers in the home implies a failure of appropriate 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 FOX 2 article states that Tufts and Collins both "had knowledge" that Leake ingested fentanyl and "intentionally" did not seek medical attention for her. The homicide tracker article corroborates: "All three admitted to knowing the toddler ingested fentanyl, but did not seek help, prosecutors say." Deliberately withholding medical care after known drug ingestion constitutes 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?

Was a biological mother involved in the 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 FOX 2 article states: "Prosecutors have filed child endangerment charges against Amanda Tufts, 35, and James Collins, 25, in the child's death." It also states: "A third adult, Lori Garrett, 39, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death." The homicide tracker article corroborates: "Amanda Tufts, 35, and James E. Collins, 25...were charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child" and "Lori E. Garrett, 49, was charged Monday with felony child abuse and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child."

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?

While no source explicitly states the caregivers were drug users, the FOX 2 article reports that "Responding officers later found powder residue, capsules and firearms inside the home" and that "Another toddler-age child at the home was exposed to controlled substances and other paraphernalia." The medical examiner report also notes "Methamphetamine exposure" in addition to fentanyl intoxication. The presence of multiple controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in a home shared by all three charged adults strongly implies caregiver substance use.

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge from the text: (1) The homicide tracker article states that "Police got a call for a sick child around 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, but believe the child consumed the fentanyl on Nov. 10," indicating a significant delay of approximately a day between ingestion and any call for help. (2) A second toddler-age child was present in the home and was also exposed to controlled substances, per the FOX 2 article: "Another toddler-age child at the home was exposed to controlled substances and other paraphernalia." (3) All three adults living in the home — Amanda Tufts, James Collins, and Lori Garrett — admitted to knowing the child ingested fentanyl but none sought medical help. (4) The relationships between the child and the three charged adults were never disclosed by police, which is unusual. (5) There is a discrepancy in Lori Garrett's age between sources — the FOX 2 article says she was 39 while the homicide tracker article says she was 49.

Lives Cut Short