Sanaa M. Riggins
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CANDID ID: MO_24_1873
AGE
4   years
STATE
Missouri
DATE OF DEATH
3/16/2024
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On March 16, 2024, four-year-old Sanaa M. Riggins was found unresponsive in her father's bed at a home on Cozens Avenue in Jennings, Missouri, shortly before 6:30 p.m., with indications of a drug overdose. Several capsules of suspected heroin were found near the bed. The child's mother, Christina Huntspon (age 32), admitted to having a severe drug addiction and to using heroin in the home that morning. She acknowledged that her addiction likely caused her daughter's death and that no one else could have introduced drugs into the home. Sanaa was transported to St. Louis Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:29 p.m. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine intoxication, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The child's father, who had legal custody due to the mother's extensive drug history, showed no signs of drug use. Huntspon was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death and held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The medical examiner report (MO_24_1873.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Fluorofentanyl, Fentanyl, Cocaine and Xylazine intoxication." The KSDK article states: "Preliminary information indicated that she had experienced a drug overdose after being exposed to heroin." The USA Today article likewise states the child was "found unresponsive... with indication she had experienced a drug 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)?

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)?

The KSDK article states: "Huntspon also had drugs in her system at the time of Sanna's birth." The USA Today article corroborates: "the child was even born under the influence of a controlled substance and that numerous care reports indicated the mother's addiction." This constitutes prenatal substance exposure.

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?

The biological mother, Christina Huntspon, was directly involved in the death. The KSDK article states: "She also told police that her addiction likely caused the death of her daughter and no one else could have brought drugs into the home." She admitted to "using heroin Saturday morning inside the home." She was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in 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)?

The USA Today article states: "numerous care reports indicated the mother's addiction." In the context of the mother's history of drug use, the child being born under the influence of a controlled substance, and the father obtaining legal custody due to the mother's drug use, these "care reports" strongly imply prior child protection reports or referrals. The KSDK article also notes that "Huntspon also had drugs in her system at the time of Sanna's birth," which typically triggers mandatory reporting.

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 KSDK article states: "St. Louis County prosecutors charged Christina Huntspon with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death." The USA Today article confirms: "Christina Huntspon, 32, was charged by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Sunday with endangering the welfare of a child – death of a child in the first degree."

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 KSDK article states: "Huntspon, 32, admitted to having a severe drug addiction and using heroin Saturday morning inside the home." The USA Today article states: "Huntspon also admitted to having a drug addiction and using heroin in the home the morning the child died." Additionally, the mother "had drugs in her system at the time of Sanna's birth" (KSDK) and the father had "legal custody of the child because of Huntspon's addiction and drug use" (KSDK).

Notable Details

Several substantive details merit attention. First, there is a notable discrepancy between the initially reported substance (heroin) and the medical examiner's toxicology findings (fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine). The DEA agent quoted in the KSDK article anticipated this, stating: "I'm almost certain that heroin alone is not the cause of the death. It's more than likely going to be heroin and fentanyl." This illustrates the broader pattern of illicit drug adulteration. Second, the custody arrangement presents a systemic concern: the father had legal custody due to the mother's addiction, yet the mother was still in the home and using drugs, which ultimately led to the child's death. The child had prenatal substance exposure and "numerous care reports" documented the mother's addiction, suggesting prior system involvement that did not prevent this outcome.

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