STOCKTON, Calif. — An 18-year-old woman from Sacramento was arraigned on multiple charges in connection with the death of a 14-year-old in Lodi.
District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar announced Cecilia Rose Silva is accused of providing fentanyl to a 14-year old girl. She faces the following charges in the death of the teen:
- Voluntary manslaughter
- Child abuse and endangerment
- The transport and sell of narcotics or controlled substance
On Saturday Feb. 19, Lodi police responded to reports of an unresponsive teen who had possibly overdosed. Even though the person was taken to a local hospital, they died on Monday.
On Tuesday, the Lodi Police Department arrested the 18-year-old in connection with the death.
According to the court complaint, Silva was accused of killing the teen "upon a sudden quarrel and heat of passion" and that the crime was committed upon a "victim that was particularly vulnerable." The complaint also goes on to allege that Silva "induced a minor to commit or assist in the commission" of the crime of voluntary manslaughter.
“It is imperative that we empower parents and community members to have a conversation with our youth about the instantaneous and deadly consequences of fentanyl can be,” said District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar in a prepared statement. “My office will continue to prosecute those who manufacture, distribute and sell narcotics, especially those who distribute to our youth.”
To read the full complaint and the description of each charge Silva faces, including child abuse and endangerment, click HERE or read below.
"I haven't read through the police reports yet," said Defense Attorney Gil Somera.
"I'm just assuming they're placing a responsibility on people who are around when something tragic like this happens.".
Somera says Silva and the victim had a friendship. He spoke on behalf of the defendant's family.
"It's devastating," he said. "As you see it, as you report the news every day, we're losing people in our community on these drugs."
According to the San Joaquin County Health Department, fentanyl overdose cases continue to soar in the county.
The 2021 fentanyl-related death rate was more than 20 times higher than in 2018. The synthetic opioid can be 50 times more potent than heroin.
Last Friday, 16-year old Victorria Moran-Hildago of Stanislaus County was found on the streets of San Francisco dead from what police say was a "possible overdose." The death was deemed suspicious.
Meanwhile, 20-year old Carson Schewe is accused of selling fentanyl to a person who died in December in Roseville.
It's first-time Placer County has charged a defendant with murder for a fentanyl-related death.
