On February 14, 2023, Kentucky State Police were dispatched to a location in Boyd County after a resident found a 2-year-old boy unresponsive. The child was transported to the hospital by EMS but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Fentanyl was found in the room where the child was discovered, and investigators determined the toddler had ingested fentanyl, making this the youngest overdose fatality on record in Boyd County. Brittney Lynn Copodonna, 33-34, of Ona, West Virginia, who allegedly had custody of the child, was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree wanton endangerment, and possession of cocaine. Her specific relationship to the child was not disclosed by investigators.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Multiple documents explicitly describe the child's death as resulting from fentanyl ingestion. The KKTV article states: "Investigators determined that the toddler had ingested fentanyl." The Yahoo article states the boy "died by ingesting fentanyl." The Daily Independent article references "the youngest overdose death on record in Boyd County."
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 KKTV article states that "fentanyl was found in the room where the child was found unresponsive" and that the toddler ingested fentanyl. The Yahoo article notes the boy was "allegedly in Copodonna's custody" when he died. The charge of first-degree wanton endangerment further implies a failure to appropriately supervise the child, as the child had access to deadly substances.
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?
The KKTV article explicitly states: "On Thursday, police arrested Brittney Copodonna, 33, for the death of the child." She was charged with "first-degree manslaughter, first-degree wanton endangerment, and possession of cocaine." The Yahoo article confirms the charges and notes a trial date was set.
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 KKTV article states that Copodonna was charged with "possession of cocaine" in addition to the manslaughter and endangerment charges, and "fentanyl was found in the room where the child was found unresponsive." The presence of fentanyl in the living space and the cocaine possession charge together strongly imply substance use by the caregiver.
Notable Details
The Daily Independent article states that Boyd County Coroner Mark Hammond identified this as "the youngest to die as a result of fentanyl ingestion in Boyd County," and notes the only younger case he'd worked was "an 18-month-old from Ironton." This contextual detail about the case being the youngest fentanyl overdose fatality on record in the county is a notable systemic detail. Additionally, the KKTV article notes that "Investigators did not reveal what Copodonna's relationship is to the child," which is a notable gap in available information. The Yahoo article reveals that a plea offer was extended but Copodonna had not responded, leading to a trial date being set.
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