Yesterday, the Santa Clara County DA's Office charged two San Jose parents with the murder of their toddler, who succumbed to lethal fentanyl and methamphetamine. Derek Vaughn Rayo, 27, and Kelly Gene Richardson, 28, stood accused of causing the death of their 18-month-old daughter, known only as Baby W. Doe as per details reported by the DA's Office.
The tragedy occurred in the master bedroom of a residence located on the 1500 block of Huddersfield Court in San Jose. Authorities found the child had ingested a fatal dose of narcotics; tests revealed a fentanyl blood concentration of 74 ng/mL, a stark contrast to the mere 5 ng/mL that could potentially kill. Derek Rayo was scheduled for arraignment yesterday afternoon.
Responding officers from the San Jose Police Department discovered the tragic scene just before midnight on August 12, after Rayo had placed a 911 call. According to authorities, it appeared that Baby W. Doe had been dead for some time. The search of the premises uncovered fentanyl and drug paraphernalia within the child's reach.
Homicide detectives delving into the home's digital interfaces unearthed evidence of the couple's drug activity, including texts and social media messages that flagrantly disregarded the safety of their own child. Photos and videos on Richardson’s phone captured Rayo in the flagrant act of smoking narcotics close to Baby W. Doe. Moreover, through various messages, the parents had reportedly even requested that others leave narcotics in dangerously accessible spots within the home.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney, Jeff Rosen, in a public statement as a grim reminder to the community, said, "As many of us gather with our families this week, please give a moment to think of W. Doe—this innocent child and her sad and stolen life." He further emphasized the lethality of fentanyl, likening it to the fatal impact of a bullet. Indeed, it was not an "official overreacting to an illegal substance," but a stark warning that fentanyl is "killing the children of our community."
