In June 2022, an 11-month-old baby girl died after ingesting a fentanyl pill that had been left on the floor of her parents' apartment at the Kings Garden Apartments in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, Virginia. Her mother, Shantica Tillery, called for help after noticing the child was not breathing; the infant was found unresponsive in her crib and died at a hospital, with toxicology revealing high levels of fentanyl. Both parents, Juan Oliva-Ruiz (19) and Shantica Tillery (23), were arrested and indicted on three felony counts each — involuntary manslaughter, child cruelty resulting in serious injury, and child abuse and neglect — facing up to 25 years in prison. The couple's second child was removed from the home, and the parents were also charged with abuse and neglect of that child.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Both articles describe a fatal fentanyl ingestion. The WRIC article states "It is believed that the child ingested a fentanyl pill that was on the floor." The WUSA9 article states "the infant found a fentanyl pill on the floor of her parents' apartment, picked one up and ate it" and the toxicology report "found high levels of fentanyl in her system."
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 WUSA9 article states "Fentanyl pills were haphazardly left in the residence, and the baby ingested one," indicating the infant was able to reach and ingest a pill on the floor, implying inadequate supervision of the child and environment.
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 biological father Juan Oliva-Ruiz was charged in connection with the death. The WUSA9 article notes fentanyl pills "were haphazardly left in the residence" of "their 11-month-old child," and both parents were indicted on manslaughter and related charges.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The biological mother Shantica Tillery was charged in connection with the death. The WUSA9 article states "Tillery called for help after she noticed her child wasn't breathing," and both parents were indicted on charges including involuntary manslaughter.
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 WUSA9 article states "Police have arrested a couple" and "a grand jury has indicted the parents on three felony charges," and the WRIC article notes both parents "were charged with three felony counts each" including involuntary manslaughter.
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 presence of fentanyl pills in the home implies caregiver substance use/possession. The WUSA9 article states "Fentanyl pills were haphazardly left in the residence," referring to the parents' apartment.
Notable Details
Both articles note the couple had a second child who was removed from the home, and that the parents were also charged with abuse and neglect of that surviving child. The WUSA9 article states "The couple has a second child, who has since been removed from the home. They're charged with abuse and neglect of that child." The articles also contextualize the death within a broader trend, citing an American Academy of Pediatrics study finding opioids "the most common substance causing death among 731 American children under the age of five who died of poisoning between 2005 and 2018," and note the Commonwealth's Attorney's prevention efforts.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.