A Montgomery City father has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the overdose death of his 2-year-old son, bringing a wrenching case to a close nearly two years after the toddler was found unresponsive.
The sentence was handed down Friday in Columbia. Prosecutors said the case began on Sept. 3, 2024, when 37-year-old Bryan Danter found his young son unresponsive and called for help.
Danter pleaded guilty in April to felony murder, second-degree drug trafficking and illegal gun possession and was sentenced on June 12, according to ABC17 News. Court documents cited in that report say officers arrived to find the child on a kitchen table next to a plastic bag containing a crystalline substance. Investigators also reported finding pill containers, capsules, two scales and additional bags of white powder. Field tests indicated the substances were fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Rising pediatric fentanyl deaths
The boy’s death mirrors a troubling national pattern. A JAMA Pediatrics analysis found that pediatric deaths involving fentanyl rose sharply between 2013 and 2021, with fatalities among children younger than 5 increasing nearly sixfold in recent years. The authors note that illicit fentanyl is so potent that even very small amounts can be deadly for toddlers.
How accidental exposures happen
Researchers and clinicians say many fentanyl deaths in very young children start with something as simple as a loose pill or powder left where a toddler can reach it. An OHSU analysis reported by OPB described a sharp rise in exposures among kids under 6, often linked to pills or powder left out in living spaces. The FDA also warns that fentanyl patches and loose fentanyl can be fatal to small children and urges caregivers to keep all medications and drugs securely stored and to seek emergency care immediately if exposure is suspected.
Legal fallout and next steps
Before the plea agreement that resulted in the 15-year term, Danter faced multiple drug and weapons charges connected to his son’s death. As ABC17 News reports, he is being held at Jefferson City Correctional Center and was already serving a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2025 to related drug and weapons offenses. Court filings and the sentencing entry will spell out how the new sentence will be carried out in relation to the time he is already serving.
What experts recommend
The case highlights how disproportionately dangerous illicit fentanyl is for very young children and adds to what public-health researchers describe as a wave of preventable tragedies. Public reporting on the trend emphasizes several key steps: storing all drugs and paraphernalia out of reach, carrying naloxone where appropriate and calling 911 right away if a child is suspected of having been exposed.
