Police investigating after fentanyl found in dead infant's system

COVENTRY, R.I. – The death of an 8-month-old girl is under investigation after a medical examiner found fentanyl in her system.

Police charged the girl’s parents, Steven Gilchrist and Jocelyn Belmore, with felony cruelty to or neglect of a child.

Police say both of the 32-year-old parents are recovering opioid addicts.

Detectives say Gilchrist told them he was the last one to see the infant alive when he fed her a bottle before going to sleep. Several hours later, Belmore found her not breathing.

Court documents claim the Medical Examiner said there were signs of discoloration on the baby's face and lips causing some inconsistencies in the parents' explanation.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, Belmore has no prior history as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect, but Gilchrist was known from an unrelated case.

Bail was set at $50,000 for each parent. They’ve also been ordered to have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

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