A Florida woman was nabbed in connection with an infant’s overdose death.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Pearlandria Boujolly, 29, of Miami-Dade County, in connection with her 18-month-old child’s overdose death. She was charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child under the age of 18.
At the start of the year, the City of Miami Police Department and Miami Fire Rescue responded to an unresponsive male infant. The man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH) for further treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later. According to law enforcement, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Department performed an autopsy on the victim, which indicated the presence of fentanyl and a trace amount of cocaine in his blood.
The FDLE’s investigation revealed that narcotics were left in an accessible room in the home where the victim was discovered. Investigators discovered that the victim accidentally consumed a little amount of the narcotics in the room. Boujolly was not at the house when the victim ingested the medicines.
Late last month, South Florida S.A.F.E. Task Force agents and the Miami Police Department detained Boujolly at her apartment in Miami-Dade. She was sent to the Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center in West Miami-Dade. Additional charges may be incurred.
“The State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) program has been a monumental resource in Florida’s fight against fentanyl trafficking,” stated Michael Stein, FDLE Miami Special Agent in Charge. “When the deadly effects of fentanyl hit our communities, especially our children, FDLE and our partners are motivated, more than ever, to use every investigative resource available to hold everyone involved accountable.”
The South Florida S.A.F.E. Task Force is made up of agents and detectives from the FDLE, Doral Police Department, Florida International University Police Department, Hialeah Police Department, Medley Police Department, Miami Police Department, Miami Springs Police Department, and Sweetwater Police Department.
“Today’s arrest reflects the strong partnership between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the City of Miami Police Department, and I thank them for their diligent work,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “It is a tragic day when a child dies in their own house as a result of a parent’s irresponsibility and harmful medications that are put out in the open. My office has long been focused on drug-related homicides, and these efforts reflect a shared commitment to educate the community and avoid these tragic and utterly avoidable fatalities.”
“The death of an 18-month-old kid due to fentanyl exposure is a terrible and utterly preventable tragedy.” This arrest sends a clear message: there is no tolerance for negligence that puts an innocent child’s life in danger,” said Miami Police Department Chief Edwin Lopez. “I appreciate the tremendous work of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s SAFE Task Force, our Miami Police investigators, and all of our partner agencies. This arrest is the direct outcome of our strong partnership and shared commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens and holding those guilty accountable.”
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
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