Xhendaya L Johnson
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CANDID ID: WA_23_1659
AGE
1   year
STATE
Washington
DATE OF DEATH
6/15/2023
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On June 15, 2023, King County Sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Shoreline, Washington, where they found 16-month-old Xhendaya L Johnson unresponsive. The King County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication, with the manner of death ruled undetermined. Shoreline Police and the King County Medical Examiner investigated whether the child was exposed to fentanyl, with the Shoreline Police Chief confirming it was "potentially fentanyl-related." The case was investigated by the King County Sheriff's Office.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

The medical examiner worksheet (Document 1) lists the cause of death as "Acute fentanyl intoxication" for Xhendaya L Johnson, a 1-year-old. The news article (Document 2) states: "Now a 16-month-old Shoreline girl may have died in June due to fentanyl exposure." Both documents confirm fentanyl ingestion/exposure as the cause of death for this child.

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)?

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?

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?

Notable Details

The news article places this child's death in the broader context of a fentanyl epidemic affecting increasingly younger victims in King County. It notes: "the King County Prosecutor says last year 25 people under the age of 20 died from drug abuse, the vast majority linked to fentanyl. And yes, prosecutors have seen toddlers, too." It also reports that this death occurred simultaneously with a "major drug bust" by King County authorities. The Undersheriff states: "ingesting a single fentanyl pill can be deadly" and that the epidemic "won't happen...until the demand drops," highlighting a systemic issue. Additionally, a GoFundMe was created by a friend saying "only that the little girl died suddenly; that the family needed money for her funeral," providing social context about the family's circumstances.

Lives Cut Short