A Bangor woman was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after her 1-year-old daughter died from accidental fentanyl exposure almost a year ago.
Kimberly Nelligan, 33, also faces a charge of possession of a Schedule Z drug.
Nelligan’s daughter died Oct. 19, 2018, after Bangor police received a report from Holiday Trailer Park of an unresponsive child. Responding officers tried performing CPR and eventually took her to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, where attempts to save her were unsuccessful.
She was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Bangor Police Department.
The post-mortem examination by the Maine Chief Medical Examiner’s office determined that Nelligan’s daughter died due to probable toxic effects of fentanyl.
Police could not elaborate on how the child ingested the fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is usually prescribed for severe pain but is sold illegally for its heroin-like effect, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s often cut into doses of heroin and is more potent than heroin.
Nelligan was taken to the Penobscot County Jail on Tuesday, where she is currently being held without bail.
She is facing a Class D child endangerment charge, which is punishable by one year behind bars and a fine of up to $2,000. The drug possession charge is a Class E crime, punishable by a $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 180 days.
Bangor police continue to investigate this case.