Portland, OR — A 22-month-old boy died after getting hold of a plastic straw containing fentanyl residue inside his family’s apartment, just days before his second birthday, leading to a prison sentence for his mother.
Kelsey Haws, 33, was sentenced this week to nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide, criminal mistreatment and attempted assault in connection with the June 2023 death of her son, Anthony.
According to prosecutors and an affidavit, the toddler found the plastic “tooter” straw in a drawer inside the family’s Portland apartment. Haws had reportedly been using the straw to smoke fentanyl.
Anthony was being watched by his grandmother while his mother was at work when the child became unresponsive. His grandmother called 911, and paramedics arrived and administered Narcan, also known as naloxone, in an effort to reverse the effects of fentanyl poisoning.
The boy was taken to a hospital but died two days later.
Mom said she was “in a rush” while cleaning
Investigators later discovered the straw inside the drawer, next to a doodle made by one of Anthony’s 7-year-old siblings. Testing showed the plastic item contained traces of fentanyl, according to the affidavit.
Haws told police that Anthony had knocked over the drawer. She said she was “in a rush and did not look closely when cleaning,” according to investigators.
The discovery highlighted how the drug paraphernalia had remained within reach of a young child inside the home. Police noted in the affidavit that fentanyl users may keep “tooter” straws because residue can be scraped from inside them.
Investigators also found four fentanyl pills inside a lockbox marked “Loko 4 Ever,” which was typically kept in Haws’ apartment.
Family circumstances came under investigation
Authorities also questioned neighbors as part of the investigation. According to the affidavit, neighbors told police that Haws’ children were frequently left unsupervised.
At the time Anthony was poisoned, Haws was working full time at a sportswear store and had two other children. Anthony’s father was incarcerated and remains in prison, according to the information provided by investigators.
An autopsy ultimately determined that the toddler died from “acute fentanyl intoxication.”
The medical finding established fentanyl poisoning as the cause of Anthony’s death and became a central part of the criminal case against his mother.
Mom apologizes at sentencing
During her sentencing Tuesday, Haws expressed remorse over her son’s death and acknowledged her responsibility.
“I was supposed to protect him, and I failed,” Haws said at the hearing, according to local Fox affiliate KPTV. She also said her addiction and selfishness had deprived Anthony of the future he should have had.
“I live every day with so much regret, knowing that if I had just been the mom Anthony deserved, he would still be here,” Haws said.
Haws told the court that she was now committed to living without drugs and becoming a better person.
“I am choosing to live my life clean and sober and always trying to be a better person each day than I was the day before,” she said.
Nearly six years behind bars
Haws received a 70-month sentence for criminally negligent homicide, along with 13 months for criminal mistreatment and 19 months for attempted assault.
The additional sentences for criminal mistreatment and attempted assault will run concurrently with the 70-month homicide sentence. She will also serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison term.
Anthony’s death came just two days before his second birthday, turning what should have been a milestone for the young child into a devastating loss for his family.
The case also illustrates the potentially deadly consequences of leaving fentanyl or drug-related items where young children can access them.
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