A Boston mother is facing charges after her 4-year-old daughter died from fentanyl intoxication. Prosecutors allege 35-year-old Dayanna Familia misled first responders about what happened, delaying critical lifesaving efforts, and attempted to destroy evidence. Familia pleaded not guilty and was held on $250,000 bail.
A Dorchester mother, Diana Familia, has been charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment after her four-year-old daughter, Liana Bautista Familia, died from fentanyl ingestion. Prosecutors allege the mother misled first responders and attempted to destroy evidence, including a white powder, before the child passed away at the hospital.
Dorchester mother facing a manslaughter charge
after prosecutors say her four-year-old daughter
died from fentanyl. In court today,
prosecutors outlined what they say happened as first
responders tried to save the little girl's life.
Boston 25's Amel Elhel joining us live right now
from Dorchester. Amel, prosecutors believe
the mother tried to destroy evidence in this case.
That's right, Scott, and these are some really
disturbing allegations. Prosecutors say the
little girl ingested fentanyl while in her mother's care
and that the mother's actions
and the moments that followed may have interfered
in their efforts to save her.
Here on Fuller Street in Dorchester
is where officials say they responded back on August 17th
after they say four-year-old Liana Bautista Familia
had ingested fentanyl, later dying at the hospital.
Now her mother, Diana Familia, is facing five criminal charges.
Good morning, Ms. Familia.
Good morning.
Prosecutors say Bautista Familia
was in the care of her mother, Diana Familia,
when she ingested the drug,
a 35-year-old becoming emotional in court during her arraignment.
Prosecutors allege when first responders arrived,
the mother said the child had been drinking
milk when she turned blue
and suggested she may have gotten into a roach trap.
So despite knowing the child's actual cause of her medical issue,
she misled officers
and EMS.
Prosecutors also say body camera video
indicates vital evidence had been tampered with
and subsequently disposed of by the mother,
specifically a white powder believed to be fentanyl.
On Monday, she pleaded not guilty to manslaughter,
reckless endangerment of a child, and other charges.
She has never been charged with a crime.
There are no convictions on her record.
The judge set bail at $250,000 cash, saying if released,
She must stay away from her child's father
and school and surrender her passport.
Outside of court, family chose not to speak with us,
but said they're saddened by the whole situation.
I went to the home where this happened,
and there was no answer at the door or neighboring homes.
A GoFundMe was created back in August
to help pay for the little girl's funeral.
The description indicating it
was the mother's sister who created the fund.
We went to her home in East Weymouth, but again, no answer at the door.
Now, Familia was held on $250,000 bail.
She's next due back in court November 20th.
Live in Dorchester, Amal Al-Hal,
for your local station, Boston 25 News.
Okay, Amal, thank you.
