BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man charged with murder after his 2-year-old son died after coming in contact with fentanyl had his preliminary hearing postponed Wednesday to mid-September.

The hearing, at which a judge will determine if there’s sufficient evidence for the case to proceed, is now set for Sept. 13.

Raul Rivera, 24, agreed to the postponement after being told his attorney, Roger Ponce, is currently in trial.

Rivera faces a life term in prison if convicted.

According to court documents, Rivera waited hours to call for medical aid after his son was discovered unresponsive the night of June 5, 2023, at a home on Sentido Drive.

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The child, Ezekiel Rivera , died from fentanyl toxicity , according to coroner’s officials. Another child in the home, Rivera’s then-3-year-old son, also tested positive for fentanyl, documents said. He survived.

Deputies found a white powder and a yellow pipe in the southeast bedroom, documents said. Also found was the stem from a glass smoking pipe which had a dark residue inside.

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