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In one decade, 170 babies, kids and teens died in NC after fentanyl encounters
Read the original article on the Raleigh News & Observer website.
One hundred and seventy babies, kids and teens in North Carolina died after fentanyl exposure between 2015 and 2024, new state data shows.
Infants, children younger than 5 and teenagers aged 13 to 17 were the most likely to die after fentanyl exposure here during the past decade, according to updated data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The data, focused on fentanyl-positive deaths between 2015 and 2024, was presented by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to a committee of the state Child Fatality Task Force last week.
Fentanyl is extremely dangerous because its residue is easy to ingest, and drug paraphernalia like needles or spoon often contains enough fentanyl to kill a small child. In one toddler death cited by the medical examiner’s office, a 1-year-old was exposed to fentanyl left on a cotton ball next to the bed where the mother and child slept.
“Illicit fentanyl really is one of the substances that is predominantly toxic to the pediatric population,” Sandra Bishop-Freeman, chief toxicologist and forensic laboratory director at the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told the Charlotte Observer.
Among teenagers, accidental ingestion often comes via other drugs — even borrowing what a teen thinks is a Tylenol from a classmate could lead to an overdose from a laced pill. In a case cited by the medical examiner’s office, a 16-year-old who died of fentanyl overdose took what they thought was Xanax at a party.
More 17-year-olds died than any other group among minors between 2015 and 2024, with 52 lives lost. Infants less than 6 months old had the second-highest death toll, with the total reaching 24.
Among racial groups, American Indian and Black residents experienced the highest number of pediatric fentanyl-positive deaths in the state, the data says.
And loss of life overall in North Carolina is much higher than a decade ago — growing from 243 deaths in 2015 to 1,954 in 2024.
Despite pediatric dangers, deaths decline in recent years
There is some good news: Despite the number of fentanyl-related deaths remaining elevated compared to decades past, the rate has begun to slow over the past several years.
Fentanyl deaths among all age groups fell 26% statewide in October 2025 compared to the previous year, with deaths in Mecklenburg County down to 142 from 192.
Overdose deaths have been declining the past two years, CDC data released Wednesday shows. North Carolina’s fentanyl overdose rate among all age groups fell by more than 30% between August 2024 and 2025.
Increased access to preventatives, such as the overdose-reversing nasal spray naloxone, could be helping slow overdose death trends.
A multifaceted prevention strategy has likely helped contributed to the slowdown in overdose deaths in North Carolina, according to Kella Hatcher, executive director of the NC Child Fatality Task Force. Her group has been studying pediatric overdoses for several years.
“You have to keep working on a combination of efforts to make progress, and that’s the case with many [preventable] causes of death,” Hatcher said.
A 2025 Prevention Block Grant funded several primary prevention programs, including youth education efforts that served close to 9,000 during the year. Another program distributed more than 11,000 lock boxes and 15,000 medication disposal kits, according to Tuesday’s presentation.
Opioid settlement dollars are also funding prevention work in many North Carolina counties. The state is receiving $1.4 billion as part of national settlements with opioid companies, money aimed at bringing resources to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic.
The medical examiner’s office will continue to share data with state and county agencies focused on helping curb the preventable childhood deaths, toxicologist Bishop-Freeman said.
“Despite the trends possibly plateauing, these pediatric deaths are still too many,” Bishop-Freeman said.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Death by Distribution
Naloxone to be available in Davidson County Middle and Highschools
Last of Four Individuals Charged in Death by Distribution Case
Fourth suspect in 2024 death by distribution case apprehended, held without bond
Read the original article on the WCTI12 website.
A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a death by distribution case that occurred in June of 2024, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Hodges Rd. in Chocowinity, in reference to a female who was unresponsive on June 23, 2024. The victim was identified as Jacquelin Halley Hodges, and deputies started giving aid until EMS arrived on the scene. Jacquelin passed away after arriving at ECU Beaufort Hospital, BCSO says.
A preliminary investigation was conducted that evening by deputies, and a thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by Detectives. BCSO Detectives presented the case to the Beaufort County Grand Jury, following the conclusion of the investigation, and indictments were issued to four individuals in April of 2025 in relation to Hodge’s death.
Justin Whitmer, 39, of Newport News, VA, was arrested on Dec. 16, Newport, and was transferred to the Beaufort County Detention Center on Dec. 22, 2025, and received no bond. Whitmer was the fourth arrest as a result of a 2024 Death by Distribution case.
He faces the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)
Brandy Kinion, 42, of Chocowinity, was arrested on April 21 and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where she received a $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
- Accessory after the Fact (felony)
Eric Wiggins, 42, of Chocowinity, was confined on unrelated charges and was served in the Beaufort County Detention Center on April 21. Wiggins received an additonal $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
Layla Hoffman, 32, of Chocowinity, was arrested at the LAX International Airport in California on May 13, after deputies coordinated with federal law enforcement to arrest her when she returned to the United States, BCSO says. Deputies flew took custody of Hoffman on June 11. Deputies transported Hoffman back to Beaufort County, where she was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond for the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)
Man facing deadly distribution charges after fatal fentanyl overdose in Davidson County, deputies said
Read the original article and watch the video on the WXII12 website.
In July, detectives with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said they started a narcotics death investigation after someone was found dead inside a home.
Detectives said the death appeared to be the result of a drug overdose.
During the investigation, officials identified Christopher Brandon Yokeley, 45, of Lexington, as the person who gave the drugs to the victim.
The autopsy and toxicology report determined that the official cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.
On Dec. 15, a grand jury indicted Yokeley on a charge of death by distribution. On Dec. 23, deputies said Yokely was served the indictment while incarcerated in the Davidson County Detention Center for unrelated drug charges.
Yokelely is still in custody, and his bond has been set at $50,000.
Davidson County man indicted for death by distribution, deputies say
Read the original article on the WFMYNews2 website.
A man in Davidson County faces indictment for allegedly distributing fentanyl leading to a fatal overdose.
LEXINGTON, N.C. — The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has indicted a man accused of death by distribution on Dec. 15.
A person was found dead inside a home after what investigators said was a drug overdose. After an autopsy and toxicology test, fentanyl toxicity was determined as the cause of death, deputies said.
Christopher Brandon Yokeley, 45, was accused of distributing the narcotics to the victim. Yokeley was indicted while incarcerated, deputies said.
He is being held under a $50,000.
Carteret County mothers share stories of loss during the holidays
Read the original story on the WCTI News12 website.
For some families during the holidays there is an empty seat at the table — a hole that can never be filled because of addiction.
In Carteret County, two mothers are living with that loss every day after losing their sons to fentanyl overdoses.
Chandler Stewart struggled with substance use since the end of high school, in and out of rehab as he tried to recover. But one relapse changed everything.
“He had not passed away at that point he was in the hospital and we were just praying that we didn’t have to make the decision to take him off of life support so he did go on his own several hours later and I knew it had to be fentanyl.” his mother Lynn Stewart says.
Chandler died on January 1, 2022. Nearly four years later, his mother still holds tightly to his memory — and encourages other families grieving similar losses to do the same.
“We need to love our children who have past by talking about them don’t isolate yourself don’t go in a room remember all the good times they had with their loved ones.”
Christmas was Chandler’s favorite holiday. A family photo taken that day became their last picture together. Now, each family member keeps that moment close, turning the image into ornaments that hang on the tree each year.
“When I look at the picture I just see everyone arguing and everything but that was the last picture that we have of chandler with the group,” says Stewart.
Just months later, another Carteret County family faced the same devastating reality.
On November 5, 2022, Tyler Dees lost his life to fentanyl after struggling with addiction for six years.
Annie Brown the mother of Tyler says, “It’s not just an empty chair at the table for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s every holiday, every birthday. It’s an empty space that will never be filled again.”
Tyler had just turned 26. While many families celebrate milestones and memories, his mother says grief follows her into every moment of life.
“I feel guilty sometimes for doing things because he’s not here to do them with me. I feel like I’m not supposed to smile or laugh or have fun during certain events because he’s not here anymore. It just hits me that we have to go the rest of our lives without him.”
But Tyler loved fishing — and his mother found a way to turn that passion into purpose. She created an annual event called Fishing With Addiction, raising more than $51,000 in his memory. The funds were donated to two local recovery homes, helping others on their journey toward healing.