Three people indicted, including child’s mother, in fentanyl intoxication death of 2-year-old child

Three people have been indicted, including the child’s mother, in the fentanyl intoxication death of a 2-year-old child.

According to Pawtucket Police, on the evening of December 10, 2021, the Pawtucket Police and Fire Departments responded to a Sayles Avenue address for a report of an unresponsive 2-year-old boy. The child, sadly, was later pronounced deceased at an area hospital.

Police say that the apartment was in awful condition and did not include basic furniture. Officers observed equipment commonly used in the manufacturing and distribution of narcotics inside the apartment.

A two-month long investigation was initiated by the Detective Division, the Special Squad Narcotics Division as well as DCYF, the RI Medical Examiner’s Office and the RI Attorney General’s Office. The child’s death was ruled a homicide with the cause being acute fentanyl intoxication.

The child’s mother, 27-year-old Jessaline Andrade of Pawtucket, RI, was indicted on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of cruelty or neglect of a child. She is scheduled to be arraigned on September 21, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.

34-year-old Yara Chum of Pawtucket, RI, was indicted on one count of murder and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 21, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.

31-year-old Stephano Castro of Providence, RI, was indicted on one count of murder and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 21, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.