CJR, a 21-month-old girl from Sammamish, Washington, died on July 29 from a fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose after ingesting fentanyl pills that her parents, Robert Ross and Mirela "Kate" Kokoszka, left accessible in their bedroom. The child was put to bed the previous night, woke due to hot weather, was fed and changed, and fell back asleep around 1 a.m. An hour later, Kokoszka found her unresponsive and face down on the bed. A partially dissolved fentanyl pill fell from her mouth or clothing when she was removed from the bed, and blue pill fragments were found on the bedding. Toxicology showed 17 ng/mL of fentanyl and 11 ng/mL of methamphetamine in her blood — far above therapeutic adult levels. The parents, who were both addicted to fentanyl and were dealing pills from their home, had left loose fentanyl pills on a nightstand next to candy within reach of the child. A week before the death, Kokoszka had found her daughter playing with and throwing fentanyl pills on the bedroom floor. Both parents were charged with first-degree manslaughter and violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The article explicitly describes a child drug ingestion and fatal overdose. The news article states the "21-month-old girl's July death" was caused by fentanyl, and "The toddler's toxicology report showed she had 17 nanograms of fentanyl and 11 nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of blood." Furthermore, "a partially dissolved pill reportedly fell from the girl's mouth or clothing when she was taken from the bed."
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 inappropriate supervision. The parents left fentanyl pills within reach of their toddler despite knowing the danger. Notably, "a witness later told police that a week before the toddler died, Kokoszka had found her 'playing with and throwing M30 fentanyl pills onto the bedroom floor,'" yet the parents continued to leave pills accessible. The prosecutor wrote: "Both of the defendants were aware of the danger fentanyl posed to their child, and recklessly left loose pills lying next to candy, storing hundreds of these deadly fentanyl pills in their bedroom where their active and healthy toddler lived and slept."
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?
The article describes an unsafe sleeping environment. Loose fentanyl pills were on the nightstand "only inches from the bed where their daughter was found dead." Additionally, "Fluid stains and 'small blue chunks' of what appeared to be fentanyl pills were later found across pillows and a blanket at the top of the bed." Three loose fentanyl pills "were found in the drawer next to candy, easily in reach of this mobile and active little girl." The child's sleeping area was contaminated with deadly drugs.
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Robert Ross is identified as the child's father. He is charged with first-degree manslaughter in his daughter's death. He admitted to buying 600 fentanyl pills the day before his daughter died and gave some to Kokoszka. The article refers to the child as "their daughter" and Ross as one of "her parents."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Mirela "Kate" Kokoszka is identified as the child's mother. She is charged with first-degree manslaughter. Her fingerprints were found on drug paraphernalia, and "a couple of friends told investigators they had previously seen Kokoszka smoke fentanyl in bed with her daughter present." She left fentanyl pills accessible to the child despite having found her playing with pills a week earlier.
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?
Both parents were charged and arrested. "Robert Ross, 38, and Mirela 'Kate' Kokoszka, 32, have each been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of their daughter." They "were taken into custody hours apart Friday and booked into the King County Jail. Each is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail."
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 article states: "Ross has prior felony convictions for burglary, theft, taking a motor vehicle without permission and possession of a stolen vehicle." These are prior criminal convictions predating the child's death and separate from the current manslaughter charges.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The article explicitly describes parental substance use. "One friend of the couple told investigators that everyone in their friend group — including Ross and Kokoszka — is addicted to fentanyl." Additionally, "a couple of friends told investigators they had previously seen Kokoszka smoke fentanyl in bed with her daughter present." Kokoszka's fingerprints were found on burnt tinfoil (drug paraphernalia), and Ross admitted to purchasing 600 fentanyl pills the day before the child's death.
Notable Details
Several notable details are present. First, the article states that "footage from a home security camera set up near the bed had been deleted seven hours after the toddler died and while deputies and detectives were still at the house," suggesting possible evidence tampering. Second, the parents were not just users but active dealers: "Many witnesses corroborated that Ross and Kokoszka had been actively dealing fentanyl out of their Sammamish residence," and investigators found 497 fentanyl pills in five baggies during a search. Third, Ross admitted to buying 600 fentanyl pills from people "who live in a tent" near Yesler Terrace the day before his daughter died. Fourth, despite a prior warning — Kokoszka found the child playing with fentanyl pills a week before the death — no corrective action was taken. The article also provides broader context about fentanyl as a public health crisis in King County, with nearly 700 fentanyl-involved overdose deaths the previous year.
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