An Atlanta couple is facing murder charges after an autopsy revealed their 6-week-old baby died from a high dosage of fentanyl.
Police responded to an apartment on Godby Road on January 17 to find baby Jaxson Philius unresponsive.
His parents, Albadeau Philius and Shaquoria Stuarts, told officers that they were sleeping with the baby and their 2-year-old son.
Shaquoria got up at 4 a.m. and breastfed Jaxson.
When their alarm went off at 9 a.m. Albadeau said he got up and put Jaxson in his crib.
That’s when he noticed blood coming from the baby’s nose and he was not responding.
A medical examiner did a reenactment with both parents and it lined up with their story.
However, earlier this month, officers were told baby Jaxson Philius’ death was being ruled as a homicide.
The medical examiner found so much fentanyl in Jaxson’s blood that “such a high dosage would be fatal in adults.”
Police say the fentanyl could have possibly been “passed through breastfeeding.”
Shaquoria Stuarts denied using drugs and stated she did not give her baby any medication.
Albadeau Philius stated he was unaware of drugs and never saw his wife do any.
The couple claims no one was in their home with them when the baby died.
Baby Jaxson’s parents were arrested and are now facing murder charges.
The Georgia Council for Recovery says mothers who do take drugs, either during pregnancy or after giving birth, are often too frightened to tell anyone and seek help.
For mothers who may be struggling with addiction or drug use, there is a “Cares Warm Line” they can call that is answered by people with lived experience of substance use recovery. People can call or text 1-844-326-5400. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
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Source: 11Alive
