Carlsbad woman found guilty in grandchild’s fatal overdose

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – A Carlsbad woman has been found guilty for her role in her grandson overdosing on fentanyl . A jury found Kelli Smith guilty on all charges including abuse resulting in great bodily harm or death of a child.

“This is a really hard case, very emotional case for our office, for law enforcement, the Carlsbad Police Department that worked on this case, for the other family members,” said Dianna Luce, District Attorney for the 5th Judicial District.

In September of 2021, 12-year-old Brent Sullivan overdosed on fentanyl and died in the family’s shed in Carlsbad. His grandmother, Kelli Smith, and mother, Alexis Smith, were arrested and charged.

Kelli Smith had told law enforcement that this wasn’t her grandson’s first overdose. During the trial, the jury had to watch a video prosecutors said Kelli Smith recorded days before his death, showing him under the influence.

“Seeing that child, watching him not be able to annunciate words, not be able to move properly,” said Luce. Smith was found guilty of intentional child abuse resulting in great bodily harm or death and child abuse not resulting in great bodily harm or death for exposing her infant granddaughter to the same, dangerous conditions.

The district attorney’s office hopes this conviction sends a message. “We hope that this is a learning experience for people to get help and get those drugs out of their household and away from children,” said Luce.

KRQE News 13 reached out to Kelli Smith’s attorney for comment but did not hear back.

Smith will continue to be held in custody until sentencing. She is facing up to 21 years in prison. Alexis Smith, was found guilty on two counts of child abuse last year and sentenced to 14 years in prison . She is appealing that sentence.

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