Two-month-old girl who died mysteriously had 'cocaine and heroin in her system', drug addict parents charged with murder
A Virginia couple whose infant daughter died from a heroin and cocaine overdose in November 2018 has been arrested and charged with murder.
Officers from the Danville Police Department were on patrol on Maple Grove Avenue on November 24, 2018, when they received a call for help regarding a two-month-old girl who could not breathe, according to the Danville Register & Bee.
On arrival, they found Eugene Chandler Jr., 27, holding his daughter, identified as Marleigh Rain Chandler, who was unresponsive and immediately began performing CPR on the infant.
The Danville Life Saving Crew then arrived at the scene and transported the two-month-old to the SOVAH Health emergency room, where she was pronounced dead.
While the infant did not display any signs of physical trauma, police still found the death suspicious and started investigating the incident, with the case then referred to the Western District Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further insights.
Danville Police Department Lt. Richard Chivvis said Marleigh "had enough cocaine and heroin metabolites in her system to kill her," an assertion confirmed by an autopsy.
The autopsy ruled the cause of her death was an "acute heroin and cocaine intoxication in a setting of co-sleeping," following which authorities obtained a search warrant of her home.
A subsequent search saw investigators uncover evidence that indicated drug use, and police confiscating marijuana and various drug paraphernalia from the residence.
They also took hand-rolled cigarettes, two baby bottles, smoking devices, and blankets.
A Danville grand jury indicted Chandler and his partner, Shaleigh Brumfield, 26, with felony homicide and abuse and neglect of a child on Monday, June 24, in connection to their child's death.
The Danville Police Department announced they worked closely with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in investigating this incident and determining charges.
Both were arrested without incident the following day, and are currently being held at the Danville City Jail without bond.
Anyone with further information regarding the incident can call 911, Danville Crime Stoppers at (434) 793-0000, the Detective Division at (434) 799-6508, or e-mail at crimetips@danvilleva.gov.