Woman Gets More than 25 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Overdose Death of 4-Year-Old Daughter

A 24-year-old Colorado woman has been sentenced to nearly three decades in prison this week for the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who died after overdosing at home on fentanyl.

Emma Staton was arrested last year on charges of child abuse resulting in death, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia., reported ABC affiliate KMGH.

Court documents stated that Staton awoke in July 13, 2022, and found her daughter, Acelynn Staton-Contreras, gasping for air and throwing up.

Staton gave the young girl a dose of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, known as Narcan, and called 911. She hung up, however, before asking for help, KMGH reported.

Staton later redialed emergency services after administering another dose of Narcan when her daughter's condition worsened.

Staton and a friend then drove to reach a hospital, but authorities ultimately met them at a truck stop.

Despite officers performing CPR, Acelynn was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Coroner's Office later confirmed that the cause of death of the little girl was a fentanyl overdose.

An investigation revealed that Staton had left fentanyl pills near Acelynn.

“I had the fentanyl pills in my possession or in the vicinity of where my child was, and that was wrong,” Staton said at a court hearing in April, per the Gazette.

Staton pleaded guilty in April and was sentenced on Thursday.

She received 27 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death, a six-month sentence for possession of a controlled substance, and a $100 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia.

"Even though this case is done, it doesn't bring Acelynn back," said Ryan Sauter, a Fountain police detective, KRDO reported.

"There's always going to be that hole missing in their hearts."