Colorado Court Rules Against Father in Child Abuse Case Stemming from Toddler’s Fentanyl Tragedy
In the terrible death of his 22-month-old daughter Aviyana, who consumed a deadly amount of fentanyl during a 14-hour period of negligence, Colorado dad Alonzo Montoya was found guilty.
The verdict includes charges of knowing/reckless child abuse resulting in death, knowing exposure of controlled substance manufacturing activities, knowing/reckless child abuse resulting in no injury, a pattern of racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA), and conspiracy to commit a pattern of racketeering under COCCA.
Aviyana tragically passed away on January 2, 2022, at their residence in Brighton. The heartbreaking event unfolded within the confines of their home in Brighton on that fateful day.
The coroner’s report revealed that the toddler had a shocking 10 times the lethal amount of fentanyl in her system for an adult. She was left alone in her crib for an extended period, crying and struggling to breathe as captured on home surveillance cameras.
Alonzo Montoya was found to be operating a drug-dealing operation from his residence, as revealed by investigators. Home surveillance footage depicted drug-related activities both before and after Aviyana’s death.
Colorado Toddler Tragedy Unfolds on Surveillance
The heartbreaking revelation includes footage of the toddler playing on the bed in the master bedroom, placing items in and around her mouth on the night of her death.
District Attorney Brian Mason expressed his dismay, stating, “This defendant ran a large-scale drug operation while two children were present, and now one of them is dead.” He emphasized the severity of the case, noting that the helpless child, who was teething at the time, ingested fentanyl and had prolonged exposure to dangerous narcotics.
While Alonzo was initially charged with first-degree murder, the judge dismissed the charge, citing a lack of evidence that he knowingly killed the child. Alonzo Montoya is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4 at Adams County District Court.
The legal proceedings also involve Aviyana’s mother, 32-year-old Nicole Casias, who faces identical charges. Her trial is set for March 11, adding another layer to this tragic and deeply disturbing case of child abuse and drug-related criminal activities within a family setting.
