Everett Police investigate three fentanyl overdoses involving young children, one fatal

The Everett Police and Fire Departments are issuing a warning to the community after a concerning rise in fentanyl overdoses involving young children in recent days.

Since last Saturday, emergency responders have dealt with three separate incidents where children were exposed to unsecured fentanyl in their homes.

Tragically, one child died.

The first incident occurred on Saturday, April 20, just after 7:45 a.m. in the Delta Neighborhood on East Marine View Drive.

An 11-month-old child was found unresponsive by their parents.

Before firefighters arrived, the child was administered Narcan, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.

The baby received further medical care and was transported to the hospital, where they were treated and have since been released in stable condition.

The second incident occurred on Wednesday, April 24, at approximately 11:45 a.m. at an apartment building on Broadway in the Port Gardner neighborhood.

A six-month-old baby was having trouble breathing and was found unresponsive when firefighters arrived.

Narcan was administered, and the baby was taken to Children’s Hospital, where they remained in stable condition.

Later that same day, at around 1:30 p.m., a third call came from an apartment in the Westmont neighborhood off West Casino Road.

A 13-month-old child was not breathing when firefighters arrived, and despite their efforts to save the child, the toddler was pronounced dead at Providence Regional Medical Center.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

The Everett Police Department is investigating all three cases, though they do not believe the incidents are connected.

The city is expressing deep concern over the rising number of fentanyl-related overdoses among young children, emphasizing the lethal danger even a small amount of fentanyl can pose to babies and toddlers.

Officials urge families to practice safe storage of all medications, keeping them out of reach and out of sight to prevent accidental ingestion.

They also encourage the use of Naloxone, which is available without a prescription at many pharmacies and can save lives during an opioid overdose.