The Children

unnamed girl

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STATE INFO

CANDID ID: NM_23_1778

AGE

2 years

STATE

New Mexico

DATE OF DEATH

5/28/2023

MEDIA

kob.com

DEATH RECORDS

Not Available

STATE REPORTS

Not Available

SUMMARY OF DEATH

A two-year-old girl in Albuquerque, New Mexico, overdosed on fentanyl at her parents' home. Police responded to find the child on the floor with slowed breathing and pinpoint pupils, indicative of an opiate overdose. First responders administered Narcan, which produced an immediate response. The child's mother, Chanel Gallegos, admitted to having a history of opioid use, and police found a Ziploc bag containing a large amount of small round blue pills along with evidence of fentanyl smoking (burnt foil and fentanyl smoke). The child's father, David Olivas, initially denied the presence of drugs. Both parents were charged with child abuse. A family member reported at the time that the child was expected to recover.

Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The news article explicitly states that a "two-year-old daughter overdosed on fentanyl." It further notes that "Medical personnel said it was indicative of an opiate overdose" and that first responders "administered Narcan and there was an immediate response."

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 article describes a two-year-old child overdosing on fentanyl in the home where parents had accessible drugs: police found a "Ziploc bag with a large amount of small round, blue pills" and smelled "fentanyl smoke and burnt foil." The fact that a toddler was able to access and ingest fentanyl implies inappropriate supervision by the parents/caregivers.

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 article states that the child's mother, Chanel Gallegos, "told police she had a history of using opioids." The article then connects this case to the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act, which "requires hospitals to create a plan for families of mothers who give birth to substance-exposed babies," and notes that "the state is not doing much of anything to track or monitor those families." The editorial framing directly ties this case to the substance-exposed baby legislation, implying the child may have been prenatally exposed, though it is not explicitly stated.

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 article refers to "Two Albuquerque parents" being behind bars, naming David Olivas and Chanel Gallegos. Gallegos is identified as "the child's mother." Olivas is referred to as one of the parents, implying he is the father, though his specific biological relationship is not explicitly stated.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The article explicitly identifies "Chanel Gallegos, the child's mother" as one of the parents facing charges. She admitted to having "a history of using opioids" and was in the home where drugs were found.

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 article states that "Gallegos and Olivas are each facing a child abuse charge" and that both parents are "behind bars." They were charged in connection with the child's fentanyl overdose.

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 article explicitly states that "Chanel Gallegos, the child's mother, told police she had a history of using opioids." Additionally, police found a "Ziploc bag with a large amount of small round, blue pills" and smelled "fentanyl smoke and burnt foil," indicating active drug use in the home.

Notable Details

The article highlights a significant policy failure: New Mexico enacted a version of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act in 2019 that "requires hospitals to create a plan for families of mothers who give birth to substance-exposed babies" with the goal of getting them "plugged into resources." However, the article notes that "as 4 Investigates uncovered months ago, the state is not doing much of anything to track or monitor those families." This systemic failure is directly relevant to this case given the mother's admitted opioid history. The article also notes this was "the second time a 2-year-old child overdosed in the last two weeks" in the area, suggesting a broader pattern.