Pittsburg County couple charged with murder and drug offenses after death of 4-month-old son

PITTSBURG COUNTY, Oklahoma – A young couple in Pittsburg County are facing first-degree murder charges after their four-month-old son died of a drug overdose, according to investigators.

Investigators say Vanessa Nelson and Julian Glenn's baby's body had meth and fentanyl on it when it died last year.

In addition to the murder charge, the couple is also accused of drug trafficking.

Local hospitals like Saint Francis Hospital monitor the effects of opioids on newborns at least once a week.

They take a proactive approach to educating mothers about newborn abstinence syndrome.

Doctors say this happens when a newborn suffers withdrawal symptoms from opioids such as fentanyl.

According to neonatal intensive care staff, it is crucial to educate mothers before birth because withdrawal can become a medical emergency.

We reached out to Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, who said his agency conducted the initial investigation and also made an undercover purchase of meth from the couple.

During this examination they learned that the baby had died.

“So we started investigating, and sure enough, the coroner's report showed that meth and fentanyl toxicity was the cause of death, and that was the reason additional charges were filed in addition to the drug trafficking charges,” Woodward said.

He said fentanyl is a big problem here in Oklahoma.

“We know that across the country and across Oklahoma, there is an increase in overdoses among young children, and usually it's because they're inhaling the particles,” Woodward said.

Saint Francis encourages mothers to talk to their doctor about their use of opioids or any treatment programs they may be participating in.

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