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Published on July 17, 2024
Apple Valley Parents Arrested for Child Cruelty After Toddler Exposed to FentanylSource: Unsplash/Max Fleischmann

In a woeful tale of neglect, two Apple Valley parents have been arrested following their toddler's exposure to fentanyl. On July 15, deputies responded to the couple's home on the 9600 block of Bowen Ranch Road after their 1-year-old child was taken to the hospital under grave conditions.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department's press release, Deputy S. Alvarez, who was running a follow-up after the heartbreaking incident, placed Austin Avina, 27, and Carla Veltri, 22, under arrest on charges of child cruelty. The authorities confirmed that the dangerous exposure happened while the little one was supposedly being watched over by the parents.

Jailed at the High Desert Detention Center, both Avina and Veltri's bail has been set at a sobering sum of $100,000 each. Details remained scant as the investigation continued, but the call to action was clear—anyone with knowledge of the circumstances leading to this tragedy is urged to step forward. Concerned individuals can reach out to Deputy Alvarez directly at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station or anonymously through We-Tip's hotline or their website.

"The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy S. Alvarez," detailed the press release.