The parents of an 18-month-old who police say died of a fentanyl overdose in Colorado Springs are facing felony child abuse charges in connection with the boy's death in November, investigators announced Friday.
Colorado Springs police said they were notified Nov. 12 of the death of 18-month-old Cairo Jak Astacio at his home. Police said their investigation revealed the boy died of a fentanyl overdose, but they offered no further details of how that happened.
Cairo's parents, Joenny Astacio, 36, and Kira Villalba, 29, were both found to be under the influence of fentanyl at the time of the infant's death, police said.
Upon searching the residence, police said they found drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics.
On June 10, investigators obtained a warrant to arrest the infant's parents on suspicion of child abuse knowingly/recklessly resulting in death, a Class 2 felony, and they were taken into custody, police said.
"I am saddened by the tragic loss of one of the youngest members of our community to the fentanyl epidemic," Colorado Springs police Chief Adrian Vasquez said in a news release. "The loss of Cairo Astacio is exactly why we continue to do our part in fighting this devastating drug, despite legislative efforts that reduce our ability to hold accountable those who possess and sell fentanyl within our community,"
The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking that anyone with information or who is a witness to call investigators 719-444-7000 or use the Crime Stoppers tip line at 719-634-STOP (7867).
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