Toddler dies of fentanyl overdose in NE Portland, search underway for mother
By Aimee PlanteJoelle Jones,
2024-09-17
PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Five days after a toddler died of a suspected fentanyl overdose, Portland police say they are still searching for the little girl’s mother.
Baby Aurora’s aunt and cousin spoke with KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, sharing that they are heartbroken and horrified by the news of her death.
Family members shared Aurora Fernandez had big brown eyes and an even bigger smile, and hope she can be remembered for her happy demeanor — not as “another child who died from fentanyl.”
“She wanted to be held, and her hair played with, and sang to,” said Dominique Hodges, Aurora’s cousin. “And she loved her dad so much.”
Still, they want to warn the public of the drug’s dangers as well as the damage it has caused their family.
“Drugs are consuming, but it’s not that hard to choose your child,” said Dominique Hodges, Aurora’s cousin.
Aurora died of a fentanyl overdose at 2 years old, according to Portland police. (Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
(Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
(Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
(Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
(Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
(Courtesy: Dominique Hodges)
Portland police said they were called to the Fox Run RV park in Northeast Portland around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday for a “2-year-old child who was in cardiac arrest.”
But at least an hour before officers were called, the child’s mother had allegedly tried to perform CPR — then fled, according to family members. Aurora died at the hospital later that evening.
“If they would have called the cops a little bit earlier and not been so scared of what was going to happen to them, Aurora could still be alive,” Hodges said. “Because they were trying to hide the fact that they were using drugs in the house with children, it cost her her life.”
Police are still searching for the mother, whom they are not yet naming. Her family said she has three kids, a known history of addiction, and did not have full custody of Aurora when she died.
“I was really horrified that a mom would jump up and run away from her daughter while giving life saving measures,” said Tina Thomas, Aurora’s aunt. “For people to be so selfish — their lives are non-negotiable. You don’t get to negotiate their life for one high.”
It is currently unclear where the toddler got the fentanyl. However, officers said at least two children — including Aurora’s older brother — and three adults were home at the time.
“No child should ever have to deal with that,” Hodges said. “She deserved to grow up and live a happy life and find herself.”
Anyone with information regarding the mother’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Portland police. In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been set up to support the remaining family.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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Very sad this child should not have died obviously mom is guilty and doesn’t want to return to jail. Mother in and out of jail shouldn’t have had custody of her daughter, shame on children’s services for not homing this child with responsible family members
Jon-Michael Phillips
30d ago
you need to take a test to drive why you don't need to do anything to be a parent but fuck is beyond me shame shame shame mom and dad
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