Toddler dies after getting too close to foil used to smoke fentanyl, NM cops say
A mom is facing a child abuse charge following the death of her toddler who was exposed to fentanyl, New Mexico police said.
Ariana Vigil, 26, from Espanola, said her 15-month-old was exposed to the drug through burnt foil, New Mexico State Police said in an April 7 post on Facebook.
McClatchy News reached out to Vigil’s attorney April 8 and was awaiting a response.
Vigil put the child on the floor while cleaning off the bed, and that’s “where the exposure occurred,” according to police.
Vigil said she “rinsed the child’s mouth, believing the child had placed the drug paraphernalia in their mouth,” and “observed the child for 10 minutes before the child became unresponsive,” police said.
The toddler was taken to a hospital, but later was pronounced dead, according to police.
Vigil said “that she smokes fentanyl and left the burnt foils on the bedroom floor,” according to police, who added that officials found “burnt foils consistent with fentanyl use, and narcotics” in a search of the home.
Vigil faces charges of child abuse resulting in death and possession of a controlled substance, police said.
Espanola is about a 90-mile drive northeast from Albuquerque.
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Toddler dies after getting too close to foil used to smoke fentanyl, NM cops say."
.JPG)