Child Dies of Suspected Fentanyl Exposure in Portland

A two-year-old in Portland is suspected to have died of fentanyl exposure, highlighting ongoing concerns about fentanyl in the U.S.

At a Glance

A two-year-old in northeast Portland died from suspected fentanyl exposure.
The incident occurred on Thursday at a home on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The child was in cardiac arrest and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance but died there.
Neighbors were stunned, and evidence has led investigators to suspect fentanyl exposure.

Suspected Fentanyl Death of a 2-Year-Old

On Thursday, a two-year-old girl in northeast Portland died after suspected exposure to fentanyl. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded around 2:30 p.m. to a home on the 9000 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The girl was in cardiac arrest and was rushed to a local hospital by ambulance, where she sadly passed away. This incident underscores the ongoing and severe fentanyl crisis affecting the community.

Reports indicate family members identified the young girl as Aurora Fernandez. The mother of the girl is alleged to have tried to resuscitate her daughter before telling a friend to call for help and leaving in an attempt to avoid facing warrants for her arrest. Fernandez’s cousin, Isa Smith, said, “She loved sunflowers and blue flowers, kittens and dressing up as a princess.”

The mother, Mary Elizabeth Jacobo, reportedly had a criminal history and had been in and out of jail in the past on gun charges, stolen vehicle charges, and more. She has also reportedly had a warrant out for her arrest since February due to her failure to appear in court on charges of being a felon with a gun and resisting arrest. Fernandez had, according to family members, been living with her father, Jacob Anthony Fernandez.

Police are still searching for Jacobo and investigating the nature of the toddler’s death.

2-year-old who died of suspected fentanyl poisoning loved sunflowers and dressing up as a princess, family says https://t.co/7m5HGKsGPu

— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) September 16, 2024

Additional Reactions

Neighbors in the Fox Run mobile home park community expressed shock and dismay over the tragedy. One person, Paul Hooson, said it was “really depressing” and lamented the drug problem in the area. Another individual, Debra Fox, was horrified, saying she has children and grandchildren and that whoever caused the child’s death must be arrested.

Conversations with hospital staff and evidence recovered at the scene led investigators to suspect that the child had been exposed to fentanyl. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death.

“I am incredibly saddened to hear about the death of this little girl,” Chief Bob Day said. “This tragedy impacts the child’s family, friends, neighbors, the first responders, and our entire community.” He added that the authorities are working hard to bring to justice the people who distribute “these dangerous substances.”

Overdoses in Portland

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be deadly even in small doses. The Portland Police Bureau reported that it has been made aware of 210 overdoses in 2024, and five of those overdoses involved children. It’s unclear whether those numbers include only fentanyl overdoses or other drugs as well. There were 303 overdoses reported the previous year.

As the investigation continues, it is crucial for parents and guardians to secure potentially dangerous substances and for the community to stay vigilant. This ongoing crisis requires coordinated efforts from law enforcement, medical professionals, and policymakers to address and prevent further tragedies.