Toddler dies in Portland from suspected fentanyl overdose

PORTLAND, Oregon (KPTV) – A 2-year-old boy in northeast Portland died Thursday from suspected exposure to fentanyl, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., PPB was called to a home in the 9000 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard because a two-year-old child had gone into cardiac arrest.

When police arrived, they spoke with firefighters who said the little girl was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The girl died at the hospital.

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“It's really depressing. Something has happened to a child. It's not good, but there is such a flow of drugs in the area. It's a huge, huge problem,” said Paul Hooson.

Residents said they were shocked to hear about the incident, especially in their “close-knit community” near the Fox Run mobile home park.

“It's disgusting. It makes me sick because I have children and grandchildren. I don't want to think about it, and whoever is involved in this needs to be caught,” said Debra Fox.

According to PPB, evidence in the child's home and conversations with hospital staff led investigators to believe fentanyl played a role.

“I am incredibly saddened to hear of this little girl's death,” said Police Chief Bob Day. “This tragedy affects the child's family, her friends, neighbors, first responders and our entire community. We at the Portland Police Bureau are committed to investigating and arresting individuals who illegally distribute these dangerous substances. And we will continue to work with our partners at the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office to ensure they are prosecuted.”

The coroner will determine the cause of death.

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