Sandra Iveth Santos
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KMUV-TV) – Santa Cruz police said a mother is in jail on felony child abuse charges after her 18-month-old son died.
Police said they were initially responding to reports of a lifeless baby, who was taken to Dominican Hospital by a mother.
The woman has been identified as Korisa Woll by police.
During an investigation, authorities found that the baby died while in Woll’s care at a home along River Street. Preliminary tests showed the baby had fentanyl and cocaine in his bloodstream.
“We are all outraged by this,” said Deputy Chief John Bush of the Santa Cruz Police Department. “We hope we can get justice for this child and find out exactly what happened.”
Police said they are awaiting the results of an autopsy to be performed by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Police said additional charges could come from the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office and would not provide further updates on the case.
“We still have additional witnesses and evidence and forensic examinations to conduct,” Bush said. “Ultimately, we are committing all of our resources to this investigation to try to get justice for this child.”
Bush also said it was too early to tell whether charges would have to be filed against anyone who may have supplied drugs to the mother.
