A father in Santa Rosa, California, has died of a fentanyl overdose along with his baby son who was in the house and was exposed to the deadly drug. Twenty-nine-year-old Patrick Savoy Oneill was found alongside his 13-month-old son Liam Savoy Oneill on Saturday afternoon.
Police suspect the toddler directly touched or inhaled the fentanyl after his father got high and overdosed in the room that he was renting. Liam Savoy Oneill, the toddler, was found dead when paramedics arrived, while the father was transported to the hospital but ended up passing away as well. Police officers were ready to arrest him on one count of murder for his son’s death under his direct care if Patrick Oneill had survived the hospital stay.
Father and Toddler Killed by Fentanyl Exposure
The two were discovered by the toddler’s mother, Emily Guillory, who arrived to check on them when Patrick was not responding to her. She was devastated by what she found and the whole family is in deep mourning. Finding your loved ones, especially a small child, dead from a drug overdose, is one of the worst nightmares imaginable.
According to a report by FoxLA.com, Lt. Dan Marincik of the Santa Rosa Police Department said:
It’s something you wouldn’t wish anybody to experience, it was tough on our officers, and I can only imagine what the family is going through.
We know from Patrick’s troubled history that he attended addiction treatment programs many times, but unfortunately relapse was common for him. he wrestled with bad decisions his whole life, was incarcerated for periods of time but always tried to straighten out for the sake of his family. Going to treatment doesn’t work 100% of the time, but it’s the best shot at getting clean and avoiding horrific events like this one.
The fentanyl addiction epidemic continues to claim lives, even the youngest and most innocent ones. If you or a loved one struggle with opioid abuse, it’s important to reach out for help as soon as possible before it’s too late. Our evidence-based rehab programs at Recreate Life Counseling offer a path to lasting recovery from opioid dependence. We have addiction specialists standing by around the clock to take your call and it’s always fully confidential.