Norristown mom pleads guilty to charges related to 6-year-old son's drug overdose death

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A Norristown mother whose 6-year-old son died of a drug overdose pleaded guilty to charges related to the boy’s death on Tuesday.

Kristen Sabatino’s son Dominic was found unresponsive last July in the home she and her boyfriend shared on Willow Street. Tests showed high levels of fentanyl and xylazine in the boy’s system.

In an agreement with prosecutors, Sabatino, 32, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child and will serve 2 ½ to 5 years in state prison followed by 5 years of probation.

Prosecutor Brianna Ringwood says Sabatino admitted she and her boyfriend brought illegal drugs into their home and allowed Dominic to access the drugs.

“This obviously created a very dangerous situation for both children who lived in the house — her children — and ultimately resulted in the death of her 6-year-old son,” Ringwood said.

The couple’s 2-year-old daughter, who lived in the home, was staying with relatives July 15, 2023, the night her half-brother died.

“It's a tragedy,” Ringwood said. “Unfortunately, we can't bring Dominic back, but at least today, in court, his mother accepted some responsibility for her role and in his death.”

Sabatino’s boyfriend, Matthew Santiago, 35, pleaded guilty to the same charges last month and is sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison. At the hearing, sniping between Santiago and the boy’s biological father led the boy’s uncle to lunge at Santiago from the gallery. Deputies had to step in and clear the courtroom.

Ringwood said she hopes Sabatino’s plea and sentence can give the boy’s biological father and his family some closure.