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Washington mom smoked fentanyl with 11-year-old daughter as the child died of an overdose: cops

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Source: Unsplash; GoFundMe

Dec. 12 2021, Published 9:16 a.m. ET

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A Washington mother is accused of smoking opioids with her 11-year-old daughter, who died of an overdose in May.

Stephanie Ann Melton, 40, of Port Orchard, Washington, was charged with controlled substance homicide in connection to the death of her daughter, Riley.

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Police said a witness claimed Melton preferred Riley use drugs under her supervision “at home rather than do it on the street."

Officials were called to Melton’s apartment around 3 a.m. on May 6 after Melton said Riley was unresponsive and not breathing.

She, her daughter and others reportedly smoked fentanyl-laced Percocets before Riley fell asleep in a recliner chair in the living room. Melton reportedly told police she brushed Riley’s hair away and reportedly attempted to administer CPR after she noticed her daughter’s lips turned blue, according to FOX 13 News.

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Fentanyl is an opioid that is often mixed with other drugs to enhance the effects, but a small dose can be deadly.

Riley was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors said they found fentanyl in her system and no brain activity. She was reportedly declared braindead on May 9.

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A friend of Melton’s organized a GoFundMe for, “my friend, Stephany Hempel’s 11-year-old daughter suddenly went into a coma early this morning. She is now on a ventilator. Please help this sweet little girl and to cover any medical costs. So much is unknown right now, please pray for sweet Riley to recover.”

The fundraiser aimed to raise $30,000.

“Stephanie broke up the blue pills, held the foil and worked the lighter while (the witness) and Riley took multiple hits of the pill,” according to police documents obtained by The Kitsap Sun.

“(The witness) stated she had gotten mad at Stephanie before for allowing Riley to smoke but was told she’s the mother and would rather have her do it at home rather than do it on the street or somewhere she can’t be watched," the docs noted.

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Investigators found Facebook messages from Melton and others, which allegedly showed Melton trying to score more pills, and asking a witness if she was “keeping things to yourself,” just days after Riley was hospitalized.

Melton allegedly wrote that the witness “has to take things to her grave cuz I will deny everything,” in a direct message conversation with a man who allegedly smoked the pills the night Riley overdosed, according to court documents.

Melton was booked into the Kitsap County Jail on December 9. Her bail was set at $100,000.

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