A Milwaukee home daycare provider is now wanted by authorities after a 1-year-old in her care was treated for what investigators say was fentanyl exposure. The child went into acute respiratory failure and received Narcan at Children’s Wisconsin before being admitted for further treatment. Court records identify the provider as Erika Harvey and state she has been running a home daycare for about two years.
What the complaint says
According to the criminal complaint, detectives were called to Children’s Wisconsin on Jan. 27 after the toddler was brought in with serious breathing problems. Surveillance video from Harvey’s home reportedly shows the child falling asleep on her chest and then being carried into a bedroom. Hospital staff gave the child one dose of Narcan on arrival and two more doses in the emergency room, and later toxicology tests detected fentanyl in the child’s system. As reported by FOX6 News Milwaukee, the complaint states that the child experienced acute respiratory failure.
Surveillance, witnesses and other details
Court records say surveillance footage shows Harvey carrying the toddler into a room, then returning to the main living area within minutes before placing a 911 call. Detectives note that when responders arrived, the child was limp and unresponsive. The toddler’s mother told investigators that Harvey had been operating a home daycare for roughly two years and that another adult with prior drug-related convictions had recently stayed overnight at the home, according to the complaint. Medical providers quoted in the filing warn that even brief contact with fentanyl can put a child’s health in serious danger, including the risk of death.
Why this matters in Milwaukee
Public health officials say fentanyl has fueled a sharp increase in overdose emergencies across Milwaukee County, and children are especially at risk when powerful drugs are present in a home setting. The Milwaukee Health Department has been distributing Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips and notes that HOPE Kits are available at fire stations throughout the city. Recent reporting and analysis indicate that synthetic opioids now account for a large share of local overdose deaths. For more on available resources and outreach, see the Milwaukee Health Department and county-level trend coverage.
Charges and next steps
Harvey is charged with child neglect, identified in the complaint as “consequence is bodily harm,” and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. She is not in custody at this time, according to local reporting and court records. Prosecutors are expected to review the criminal complaint and decide whether to pursue additional charges as the investigation moves forward. Police and prosecutors have not provided a timeline for an arrest or for any further counts that might be filed.
Officials are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Milwaukee Police Department. They also remind parents and caregivers to store medications and any unknown substances securely and out of children’s reach. The Milwaukee Health Department offers free Narcan, HOPE Kits and training on how to use them; visit the Milwaukee Health Department for locations and additional resources. This story will be updated as new court records or official statements are released.
