Three Charged With Murder In Fentanyl-Related Overdose Death Of 5-Year-Old In Washington: Police

Three people are facing murder charges in Washington after a 5-year-old girl allegedly overdosed and died from fentanyl, according to authorities.

On March 8, officers responded to a home in Ferndale to investigate the death of the girl, the Ferndale Police Department announced.

According to authorities, officers noted there were indications the child suffered a possible drug overdose or poisoning.

When officers arrived at the residence, Michael Wayne Doane, 33, Melissa Ann Welch, 35, and Cody Curtis Craig, 32, were all present in the home. Welch and Doane are the girl’s biological parents and live in the residence and Craig is Welch’s boyfriend who sometimes stays at the residence, police said.

Police obtained search warrants for the residence and vehicles associated with Welch and Doane, officials said.

While searching the home and vehicles, detectives claimed they found drug paraphernalia along with items that later tested positive as fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone. Investigators determined the girl had access to the areas where these items were located.

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Authorities said Craig, Welch and Doane were all present the night of the victim’s death and evidence showed that all three allegedly used fentanyl at the residence.

As a result of their investigation, officials believe Welch and Craig illegally distributed fentanyl days after the victim’s death.

On April 13, Craig, Welch and Doane were arrested and booked into the Whatcom County jail. They were charged with first-degree murder with extreme indifference to human life, authorities said.