A Simi Valley couple was charged in Ventura County Superior Court Sept. 28 for the death of their 11-month-old daughter who suffered fentanyl intoxication late last year.
The father, George Salas, 29, faces felonies for second-degree murder and child abuse, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for possession of a smoking device, according to court records
He also faces several special allegations that he had a prior serious or violent felony, the victim was vulnerable and there was willful harm or injury resulting in death. Such allegations, if found true, can lead to increased jail time during sentencing.
The mother, Karina Yanes, 30, was charged with felony child abuse and also faces special allegations
that there was willful harm or injury resulting in death, the crime involved great violence and the victim was vulnerable, court records show.
The two have not yet entered a plea.
On Dec. 6, officers from the Simi Valley Police Department responded to the 400 block of Talbert Avenue around 1:39 p.m. after receiving a report of a baby not breathing, according to a department news release.
Officers and emergency medical personnel responded and performed lifesaving measures before transporting the baby to the hospital, officials said. She was later pronounced dead.
On Dec. 8, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined that the infant died of fentanyl intoxication, but had listed the manner of death as “undetermined” at the time, police said.
An investigation into the incident found that Yanes had left for work the morning of Dec. 6 and left her infant daughter, Ariya, in the care of Salas, according to a Ventura County District Attorney's Office news release. Salas is a known fentanyl addict, the DA's office alleges.
Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were found in the room where Ariya was, officials said.
Salas and Yanes were each booked into Ventura County jail. Salas’ bail is set at $1.04 million, and he is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 30. Yanes’ bail is set at $50,000, and she is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 26, court and jail records show.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley couple charged in fentanyl-related death of infant daughter
