On July 27, a jury found Antonio Espinosa-Tovar, 29, guilty of child abuse and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
In May 2021, officers with the Aurora Police Department were dispatched to Children’s Hospital Colorado when a 3-year-old was brought in for medical attention after ingesting an unknown opioid.
Toxicology tests taken confirmed the child had fentanyl in his system. Fortunately, medical staff was able to stabilize the child after administering three doses of Naloxone.
Upon searching the home where Espinosa-Tovar, his girlfriend, and her two children resided, investigators found three separate bags on a shelf containing 71 Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.
Espinosa-Tovar admitted to investigators that he was currently out of work and had been selling pills to make extra money. He also admitted that he knew the child had taken a pill after he found half of a pill on the floor.
Espinosa-Tovar’s trial began Monday, July 25. Just after 1 p.m. Wednesday, a jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts.
“We very much would like to thank the jury for recognizing the very dangerous situation that this child was placed in,” Deputy District Attorney Lauren Knapp said.
Espinosa-Tovar was sentenced on Oct. 13, 2022 to 20 years in the Department of Corrections.
“We’re grateful that this 3-year-old child was able to recover following Mr. Espinosa Tovar’s reckless actions,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “While this situation could have ended in tragedy, this man must be held accountable for putting innocent lives in danger. He made a careless choice to leave this deadly poison in a residence where young children were staying.”
