In August 2022, police officers in Kansas City discovered 2-year-old Cillian Miller in a distressing state. He was found wearing only a green T-shirt and was naked from the waist down. According to court records, his body was mostly covered in a blanket, but his feet were already discolored.
The home was littered with used and unused syringes, glass pipes and several strips of foil with what appeared to be burnt residue. On the dining room table, a pipe was carelessly left under a half-eaten McDonald’s cheeseburger. Tragically, somewhere within the confines of that same home, a child stumbled upon fentanyl.
According to the tests conducted, the young boy was another victim of the drug epidemic that has been plaguing the nation and has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives in the Kansas City region.
Over the past three years, The Star’s ongoing investigation into the toll of fentanyl on our community has uncovered dozens of little children who have died from the illicit drug in KC, as well as across both Missouri and Kansas. This report focuses on our youngest victims and marks the beginning of a comprehensive project that will feature community outreach and narratives covering the broader impact of fentanyl on the Kansas City area, as well as the challenges of policing this problem.
These young children are facing a different kind of drug crisis compared to others like crack cocaine. They are not struggling with addiction due to their parents’ drug use, but are unfortunately succumbing to fatal fentanyl overdoses. Shockingly, even babies and toddlers under the age of 4 are being exposed to this synthetic opioid and its harmful residue in their own homes, hotel rooms, and even public parks.
In the midst of the opioid epidemic, the deaths of these children have been overlooked, reduced to mere statistics in state reports on child mortality or in the records of local medical examiners. While fentanyl’s lethal potency has garnered significant attention in relation to teenagers and young adults, with the warning that just one pill can be fatal, the tragedy of these young victims has largely gone unnoticed.
According to records obtained by The Star, fentanyl claimed the lives of seven children aged 2 and under in Jackson County last year, with three of them dying within a week in the spring. Additionally, three years ago, a 2-year-old toddler in Johnson County and a 9-month-old baby in Leavenworth County also died due to fentanyl intoxication.
Frank Tennant, the chief of Missouri’s State Technical Assistance Team, which is a specialized law enforcement agency that looks into crimes against children and falls under the Department of Social Services, expressed concern about the impact of fentanyl on children. According to Tennant, “It’s grabbing hold of our children now.” He further added that while he is not easily frightened, fentanyl genuinely scares him.
In my opinion, “It’s straight from hell” accurately captures the level of negativity and frustration I feel towards the situation.
Last year in Jackson County, seven children tragically lost their lives due to fentanyl intoxication. Among them, the youngest victim was a mere 10-month-old baby, while the remaining six were toddlers aged between 1 to 2 years old.
The illegal drug market is being flooded with counterfeit pills that resemble prescription medications. These pills are extremely dangerous as they contain fentanyl, which can have lethal consequences. The rise of these fake pills is a growing concern among authorities.
According to Dr. Nora Volkow, who serves as the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, toddlers have a tendency to put anything and everything in their mouths. This is particularly alarming when it comes to pills containing fentanyl, as even a small dose can be deadly for an adult. For a toddler, the risk of overdose is even greater and can result in tragic consequences.
Across all ages and demographics, the prevalence of fentanyl overdoses is a cause for great concern. Even those who were previously not at risk due to abstaining from drug use are now vulnerable. The situation is alarming and calls for urgent action to prevent further harm.
According to Dr. Adam Algren, a medical toxicologist at Children’s Mercy, many times people are unaware that a child has accessed something harmful. The child may have gotten into it unnoticed, and people might assume that they are just sleeping or taking a nap.
“People often fail to realize the gravity of a problem until it’s too late and they don’t wake up. As unfortunate as it may be, the lack of awareness regarding potential risks and dangers can lead to dire consequences.”
No way to tell
Authorities are still unable to determine how fentanyl entered the body of a child who died.
According to Dr. Lindsey Haldiman, who serves as the chief medical examiner in Jackson County, once a substance enters the bloodstream, it appears identical whether it was snorted or ingested. She explains that there is no way to differentiate between the two methods of consumption.
According to Algren, the symptoms of an opioid overdose will appear quite similar in both young children and adults.
According to Algren, one can observe individuals becoming unconscious, with disorganized and slowed breathing, along with small pupils. These three symptoms constitute a strong indication of an opioid overdose, particularly fentanyl.
According to Dr. Terra Frazier, the Chair of Missouri’s Child Fatality Review Panel, the instances of young children losing their lives due to fentanyl have been increasing rapidly since approximately 2020. She warns that the situation is extremely concerning and the numbers are likely to continue to rise.
According to data provided by DSS, the number of children under 5 years old who died from fentanyl poisoning in Missouri has doubled from 10 in 2021 to 20 in 2022, as per preliminary reports.
According to Frazier, a child abuse pediatrician at Children’s Mercy, the number of child abuse cases is expected to increase in 2023. “We think it’ll be higher,” he said. Although there is a lot of missing data, the current trends suggest that the number will exceed 20.
According to the State Child Death Review Board in Kansas, there were no reported cases of children dying from fentanyl between 2017 and 2019. However, in 2020, 11 children lost their lives due to fentanyl, and in 2021, the number decreased to nine. It is unclear at this time what age range these children fell under.
According to child welfare officials and advocates in both states, the detrimental impact of fentanyl on young children and their families is only just beginning to be studied.
Emily van Schenkhof, the executive director of the Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri, which is the state’s foundation for child abuse prevention, emphasizes that each of the babies and toddlers affected by such abuse are real individuals with their own unique personalities, adorable smiles, and beautiful traits. “They’re real,” she says, highlighting the fact that these innocent children deserve to be protected and cared for.
“Sometimes we tend to just focus on the numbers when looking at data, specifically the number of deaths. However, it’s important to remember that behind each death lies a real child who lost their life.”
Police departments nationwide are currently investigating a surge in fentanyl-related deaths among young children. In a recent incident, a 1-year-old boy passed away after being exposed to fentanyl at a day care facility in New York City. Additionally, three other children, ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years old, fell critically ill and were saved using naloxone, also known as Narcan, which is a medication used to reverse the effects of fentanyl. Law enforcement officials confirmed that fentanyl was present in all three of the survivors during subsequent testing, according to news reports.
It is highly recommended by authorities that every household should keep a stock of Narcan, a nasal spray medication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that Narcan can be administered safely to people of all ages, ranging from infants to older adults.
Last November, authorities charged three individuals in the death of a toddler who had ingested fentanyl while in a residence in St. Louis County. The case garnered significant attention due to its high-profile nature.
According to police, the three suspects were aware that the child had consumed fentanyl on November 10 but failed to seek medical help for her. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that this incident is the seventh case in the area in 2022 where children have fallen ill due to fentanyl exposure. Regrettably, four of these cases have resulted in fatalities.
An environment of drugs
Tennant, a 43-year police enforcement veteran, began watching people die from fentanyl when they were adults.
However, in the last four years, the STAT director has been aware of reports of fentanyl murdering Missouri children. And he acknowledges it was difficult, especially when the children are so little.
“When they’re under 5, they rely on somebody else for everything, to totally care for them,” Tennant went on to say. “And when a child under the age of five dies from an overdose, someone has dropped the ball.” And, in my opinion, it should be criminal.”
One report he read “sticks out in my mind.” He claimed that a toddler playing in a Missouri urban park picked up a wrapper and placed it in his mouth. The tiny boy died as a result of fentanyl intoxication.
DSS communications director Caitlin Whaley stated that the case is “more of an exception than a rule.” She claims that young children are frequently exposed to fentanyl in their households in Missouri. Either by a family member or a family member’s friend who brings the drug into the home.
“It’s challenging, because you’re dealing with people that are working through addiction, and we know that people who are working through addiction don’t necessarily have the best judgment,” Whaley said in an interview. “So you have to figure out how to communicate a very difficult message to a group of people dealing with active addiction or connecting with family members who are in active addiction.”
“And they’re not recognizing the risks to children.”
The Jackson County prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, was astounded to learn that seven infants aged two and under died from fentanyl in her county last year. She stated that she was only aware of three deaths and was able to pursue charges in two of them.
But she had no idea about the other four until The Star informed her.
“It’s shocking; children should not die,” Baker added. “When I hear something like this, it kind of makes my hair fall out … usually, too, they live such a tough life before their death.”
In Kansas, 13-month-old Lucca Lien died in July 2022 after becoming unresponsive while staying at a Wichita motel with his father. According to his postmortem report, toxicology screening revealed “very high levels of fentanyl in the (boy’s) heart blood and brain tissue,” and his cause of death was “fentanyl toxicity.”
Jordan Wayne Lien, his father, was charged with first-degree murder and additional offenses. Lien died earlier this year in a motel near Wichita while on bond from what his lawyer described as a potential narcotics overdose.
In certain cases, such as Lucca’s, law enforcement may be unaware of how little children obtained the illegal substance that killed them. Only when toxicology test results are returned will medical examiners be able to determine what killed the youngster.
Merriam police discovered 2-year-old JayPee Luciano Morales lifeless inside a home in mid-November 2020. According to Johnson County prosecutors, medical examiners later discovered fentanyl in the child’s system and ruled that it was the cause of death.
JayPee’s parents were both charged in his death. Shelly Christine Vallejo, his mother, pled guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated endangerment of a child, and criminal possession of fentanyl and was sentenced to ten years in prison in February. Jean Pierre Morales, the boy’s father, pled guilty to cocaine distribution and received a roughly 14-year sentence in March. Another guy, Jared Barraza, pleaded guilty to drug distribution resulting in death and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
O’Lijah Gardner, a 2-year-old from Jackson County, choked and died in April of last year after eating pizza inside a hotel room. Initially, his death was declared an accident. He had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system, according to tests.
Officers discovered drug paraphernalia in the hotel room, “to include baggies of unknown substance, residual marijuana, syringes, tools associated with narcotic activity, and Narcan.” The baggies contained acetaminophen, para-fluorofentanyl, and fentanyl, according to the Kansas City Crime Laboratory.
According to the probable cause affidavit detailing accusations against the boy’s mother, “the drug level alone (without choking) would be fatal in an adult and child,” said Ransom Ellis, a pathologist with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office. “I believe the child was alive when the pizza was placed in his mouth as it appeared inhaled deep into the airway.”
According to the affidavit, “it was further determined that the amount of fentanyl in the victim’s system would most likely have occurred shortly before his death.”
Christina A. Gardner, his mother, was indicted by a grand jury and will stand trial in March.
Authorities fear that additional JayPees and O’Lijahs may die as a result of what their parents bring into the home.
Tennant, who has investigated many drug cases in his career ranging from heroin and cocaine to methamphetamine, describes fentanyl as “frightening.”
“I didn’t see kids dying from those other drugs like I’m seeing kids die from fentanyl,” Tennant was quoted as saying. “Never before in 43 years.” Never.”
Young lives lost
Obituaries for Jackson County children who died last year reveal some information about their brief lives.
One was described as a “sweet, happy girl with an infectious smile” who “was loved by everyone who was blessed to meet her,” according to her obituary. On January 11, 2022, she was just 20 months old. The bouncy “JoJo” child enjoyed watching Elmo on TV and would sing and dance whenever “Elmo’s World” came on.
Another died in Kansas City on Oct. 11, 2022, two and a half months after his second birthday. He enjoyed wrestling and dancing as one of 12 siblings, according to his obituary. He also enjoyed the “Baby Shark” song, football, and playing with his cousins.
A small girl known as “Toots” had “a smile of gold,” her mother’s attitude, and was her father’s “mini me,” according to her obituary. She died on May 28, 2022, only one month before her second birthday. She adored CoComelon and could be heard singing “Baby Shark” all day.
“Toots’ favorite food, in her words, was her ‘Chee Burger,'” according to her obituary. “Cereal you couldn’t eat a bowl in peace without Toots coming over for some … (she) was something special from the time she was in the womb feeling her kicks to the arrival of her birth. … She truly made our world complete.”
A teenage boy was “full of life, laughter, and love,” according to his obituary. “(He) loved spending time with his mother, father, cousins, and spending time in his cars,” according to the report. “(He) enjoyed playing with his toys and going to Chuck E. Cheese. He had such a bright energy and made everyone happy.” He died on June 1, 2022, at the age of 20 months.
On June 4, 2022, another daughter, only 10 months old, died at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. She “enjoyed watching, dancing, and singing to ‘Akili and Me,'” according to her obituary. However, it was stated that her favorite activity was playing with her older brother.
Mother knew ‘he was dead’
Cillian Miller died without a public obituary. The only information we have about him comes from an affidavit detailing charges against his mother.
Officers responded to a “residence check” complaint in the 6500 block of The Paseo shortly after midnight on August 17, 2022. An anonymous caller alleged that a youngster at the residence “was killed and the child’s mother did nothing to prevent it,” according to court papers.
Additional calls regarding a deceased child at the property came in as officers sought to contact someone inside.
When police arrived, they discovered a youngster napping on the floor between a bedroom and a bathroom.
“The juvenile was alive and carried out of the residence with no apparent injury,” according to the court affidavit.
The second youngster was discovered on the bed, covered by a blanket, by a police sergeant.
“The sergeant removed the blanket and observed that the child was unresponsive and hard to the touch,” the police report stated. “Members of the KCPD Homicide Unit-1030 squad were notified of the deceased juvenile’s death and responded to the scene.”
The child’s mother, Michaela Chism, later spoke with police. She stated that she and her sons had been staying at the Paseo residence for around two weeks.
“Chism advised that multiple (people) came and went from the residence during the two weeks that she stayed there,” according to the probable cause affidavit. “Chism stated that people, including herself, consumed controlled substances … and identified two drugs that she consumed there as methamphetamine and Fentanyl.”
According to court records, she told investigators that she and her sons normally slept on the living room couch and chair. She stated she woke up the night before or the night before that and started watching television.
“Chism noticed that (Cillian) was not moving and went over to check on him,” according to the affidavit. “(The little boy) was not responsive and Chism knew that he was dead.”
Chism, now 37, pled guilty in March to endangering a child’s welfare with drugs and first-degree involuntary manslaughter. She received a six-year prison sentence.
Searching for prevention measures
According to van Schenkhof of the Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri, substance misuse has always been a “driver” of child abuse and neglect episodes inside families.
However, she claims that the current drug crisis is different.
“I think what’s new about this is that fentanyl and its potency are actually causing children to die,” she explained, “rather than abusive or neglectful behaviors on the part of parents who abuse substances.” That has been going on for a long time.
“But the piece where children are accidentally gaining access to fentanyl, and because of the potency of it are dying from it, is relatively new. … Fentanyl is certainly driving child fatalities in the state of Missouri and probably nationwide as well.”
Organizations and organisations working to prevent child abuse and the deaths of Missouri’s children are only now beginning to investigate what is going on and why. Before they can discuss prevention measures, they need to know where in the state children are dying from fentanyl, how the youngsters are acquiring the drug, and in what circumstances.
One item that could potentially help in that quest, according to Frazier, is research that Children’s Mercy is conducting on fentanyl and the mortality of young children. Using data from Missouri’s National Child Fatality Review Panel database, researchers hope to “characterize the deaths from fentanyl” and see if “we can paint a picture of what’s going on in these children’s lives to help guide our prevention efforts.”
“(They’ll) try to get some more of that information to help us see (if there) are certain characteristics,” he said. “Are there trends that we can see that would allow us to better determine prevention efforts that may be most impactful?”
Furthermore, the state Child Fatality Review Panel, which she leads, will continue to explore the issue and how to educate families.
“A lot of times it doesn’t take very much fentanyl to cause the child to be very ill or to even die,” he said. “As a result, I believe that many caregivers are simply unaware of the risk.” They are seriously underestimating.”
For years, preventative tips have been provided for numerous possible hazards to children.
“We talk about cabinet locks to keep your cleaning solutions up and out of the way, and storing them high,” he stated. “There’s lots of education around other childhood injury prevention.”
However, not with fentanyl. Yet.
“There’s not the same kind of awareness around making sure that environment that the child is in is safe and secure,” he added. “Fentanyl is out in the community, it’s in the homes, and kids are exploring and finding it.”
Education, she and others argue, needs to happen quickly.
“As these numbers continue to go up and up and up, and people realize it’s not just a blip on the radar but a continued trend that we’re seeing increase year after year,” Frazier told reporters, “that sense of urgency is really, really setting in.”
