Cape Cod man charged with manslaughter after 9-year-old calls 911 for overdosing parents

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois announced today that a Cape Cod man has been arraigned for his role relating to an overdose death on April 10, 2022.

27-year-old Terrell Peters of Marstons Mills was arraigned on charges of Manslaughter, distribution of a class A substance, Abandonment of child under the age of 10, reckless endangerment of a child, withholding evidence from a criminal procedure, and conspiracy to violate drug law.

On Saturday April 9, 2022, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Barnstable Police received a 911 call from a 9-year-old boy stating his parents needed help. Barnstable Police and EMS arrived on scene quickly and found both parents unresponsive and suffering from an apparent overdose. Both parents were transported to Cape Cod Hospital, female was resuscitated, and the male Kelby Karnes was pronounced dead at 12:07 a.m. on April 10, 2022.

The investigation revealed that the defendant was on scene at the time of the apparent overdose and fled the scene after directing the 9-year-old to call 911. Further investigation reveals that the defendant distributed a quantity of fentanyl to both the male and female.

Terrell Peters was held on $50,000 cash bail and is due back in court on September 13, 2023.

The matter is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Department Detectives Unit assigned to the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office, and the Barnstable Police Department. Terrell Peters was held on $50,000 cash bail and is due back in court on September 13, 2023.