Chicago Woman Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter After Toddler Consumed Fatal Drug Mix
A 58-year-old Chicago resident, Michelle Gandy, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a toddler died from ingesting a bag of narcotics left within his reach.
Michelle Gandy, a 58-year-old Chicago woman, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter of a family member and child endangerment after a toddler, X’zayvion Walton, died from a lethal combination of fentanyl, medetomidine, dexmedetomidine and probable heroin. The incident occurred on the evening of March 24 in an apartment on West Fifth Avenue in East Garfield Park. First responders found the child unresponsive and transported him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Prosecutors claim Gandy placed the drug bag within the child's reach, later destroyed evidence, and lied to investigators, hindering the case. During a detention hearing, Cook County Circuit Judge James Murphy III ordered Gandy jailed, citing her five felony and 19 misdemeanor convictions. The relationship between Gandy and the child was not disclosed in court filings.
Why it matters
The case highlights dangers of unsecured prescription drugs and the legal consequences of child endangerment.
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