Utah County couple arrested after death of 1-year-old child
SPRINGVILLE, Utah (ABC4) — A Springville couple was taken into custody on Wednesday, Jan. 31, following the death of their 18-month-old baby, according to police.
Nicholas Wade Boyd, 31, is facing a first-degree felony charge of endangerment of a child resulting in death and three drug-related misdemeanors. His girlfriend, Kaylee Michelle Rhoades, 27, faces the same misdemeanors and a third-degree felony charge of endangerment of a child.
Officers with the Springville Police Department were called to an apartment in the area of 300 North and Main Street on Wednesday after Rhoades reported her daughter was “not conscious and not breathing.” First responders attempted to provide the infant life-saving measures until she could be taken to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
RESOURCES: This Utah resource offers free childcare for stressed-out parents
Rhoades allegedly told investigators she had laid down in bed with her baby to take a nap. Two hours later, she awoke to find her baby unresponsive. When she realized her baby was not breathing, she called 911.
In a probable cause affidavit, police said Boyd and Rhoades lived in house of “drug culture and drug use” due to a “plethora of drug paraphernalia” found in their apartment within easy access to a child. Police said there were pieces of a blue substance consistent with a fentanyl pill on a nightstand next to the bed which they said was in easy reach of a small child.
Rhoades admitted to using drugs two nights before the incident as well as the night before, according to court documents. She also reportedly told police she visited a methadone clinic, which helps opioid addicts, earlier that day. She also allegedly admitted to purchasing pills from a street dealer that she suspected may have been fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone.
Rhoades told police where to find methadone locked in a safe and reportedly stated she believed there were two pills in a drawer of the nightstand next to the bed, according to the affidavit. Police searched the nightstand and reported only finding one pill.
LDS Church faces third lawsuit over alleged tithing misuse
While at the hospital, a witness reportedly asked Boyd if there were any drug-related items within reach of the child at the apartment to which he answered, “Yes.” Court documents say Boyd then repeatedly said “It’s all my fault!”
Authorities are currently awaiting the autopsy results of the infant to determine if the endangerment resulted in her death.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
