"A Santa Clara jury delivered a guilty verdict to Derek Vaughn Rayo, 29, and Kelly Gene Richardson, 31, of San Jose, in the death of their year-and-a-half-old daughter Winter in August 2023. The jury found the couple guilty of second-degree murder, along with numerous child endangerment felonies and enhancements the first verdict of its kind in Santa Clara County, according to KQED. Both Rayo and Richardson could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison."
"Winter was found to have 74 nanograms per milliliter of fentanyl in her bloodstream 25 times the lethal dose, as well as 30 nanograms per milliliter of methamphetamine. As SFist reported in 2024, drugs were scattered throughout the home. The findings tied the child’s death to exposure to multiple drugs present in the residence."
"Rayo and Richardson reportedly neglected to call 911 until more than 11 hours after her death, explaining to investigators that they wanted to grieve her death before her body was taken away. The delay in seeking emergency help was presented alongside the drug exposure evidence and the child endangerment charges."
"Another couple lived at the residence at the time, Phillip Ortega and Paige Vitale, who were Rayo and Richardson's alleged dealers. Ortega's murder case is pending, and Vitale, who also initially received a murder charge, was later charged with felony drug possession and misdemeanor child endangerment. This is the second such case in which Ortega had been charged with murder, as he also allegedly provided the drugs that led to the May 2023 fentanyl overdose death of Phoenix Castro."
A Santa Clara jury found Derek Vaughn Rayo and Kelly Gene Richardson guilty of second-degree murder for the August 2023 overdose death of their 18-month-old daughter Winter. Winter’s bloodstream contained 74 nanograms per milliliter of fentanyl, described as about 25 times the lethal dose, and 30 nanograms per milliliter of methamphetamine. Drugs were reportedly scattered throughout the home. Investigators said the parents did not call 911 until more than 11 hours after Winter died. The parents explained they wanted to grieve before her body was taken away. The verdict also included child endangerment felonies and enhancements, with a maximum possible sentence of 15 years to life. Another couple living at the residence was linked to the drugs, with one case pending and another resulting in reduced charges.
Read at sfist.com
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