Introduction to the Case
The death of a 2-year-old found slumped over in her stroller on the West Side in July after ingesting drugs her mother had taken has been determined to be suspicious, officials said this week. Pier’ Re Addiana Welborne died of combined drug toxicity and her death was ruled a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled earlier this week.
Initial Response and Autopsy
Initially when she died on July 15, an autopsy was inconclusive and pending further studies. Pier’ Re Addiana’s mom, 44, flagged down officers and asked them if they had any Narcan because she had gotten sick on her toddler who shortly after that became unresponsive about 4 p.m. on July 15 in the 2600 block of West Roosevelt Road, according to a police report. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a drug that reverses an opioid overdose.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Officers rushed the child, who was slumped over in her stroller, to Stroger Hospital in their police car but she was pronounced dead there at 5:08 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office and the report.
Toxicology Exam and Investigation
According to the report, a toxicology exam on the 44-year-old woman determined she had “toxic” levels of methadone and tramadol in her body. Tramadol is a pain reliever and Methadone can be used to treat opioid use disorder including heroin, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. The case was initially being investigated as an endangering the life and health of a child case but on Wednesday police spoke to the medical examiner’s office and learned her death was ruled a homicide, according to the report.
Current Status of the Investigation
Police have not announced any charges. Area 4 detectives are investigating.
Conclusion
The death of Pier’ Re Addiana Welborne is a tragic incident that highlights the dangers of drug use and the importance of protecting the health and safety of children. The ruling of her death as a homicide is a significant development in the case, and it is likely that further investigation and potential charges will follow.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of Pier’ Re Addiana Welborne’s death?
A: Pier’ Re Addiana Welborne died of combined drug toxicity.
Q: What drugs were found in the mother’s system?
A: The mother had “toxic” levels of methadone and tramadol in her body.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The case is being investigated by Area 4 detectives, and police have not announced any charges.
Q: What is the significance of the medical examiner’s ruling of Pier’ Re Addiana’s death as a homicide?
A: The ruling of her death as a homicide is a significant development in the case, and it is likely that further investigation and potential charges will follow.
