SLO Sheriff: Three arrested in death of 7-month-old who was exposed to fentanyl, meth
HERITAGE RANCH, Calif. - Three people were arrested in connection to the death of a 7-month-old Heritage Ranch girl who the sheriff's office said was exposed to fentanyl and methamphetamine.
7-month-old Lillith Luhm died in February. On May 14, the girl's parents, Shawn Matthew Luhm, 38, and Kayla Anne Luhm, 31, were arrested for her death. Additionally, Melissa Dawn Currie, 36, of Atascadero was also arrested as part of the investigation.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson announced the arrests Monday during an afternoon press conference at the sheriff's office headquarters.
Lillith Luhm died at the hospital on Feb. 4, after deputies responded for a report of an infant who was not breathing.
Tests later revealed that the baby was exposed to both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Searches at the Luhm home uncovered narcotics, Parkinson said. During Monday's press conference, Parkinson said the parents attempted to clean the home before law enforcement conducted their searches. The sheriff also said the parents attempted to obtain more narcotics while at the hospital while their daughter was being treated.
Both the parents were arrested on suspicion of "willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death." Currie is accused of being an accessory after the fact to the abuse of a child.
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said felony child abuse charges have been filed by his office.