Mother sentenced after toddler dies from ingesting fentanyl

DENVER ( KDVR ) — On Tuesday, the mother of a toddler who died after ingesting fentanyl was sentenced to two decades in prison.

Nicole Casias was sentenced to 22 years by an Adams County judge after she pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

In 2022, Casias’ 23-month-old daughter, Aviyana Montoya, died after police said her blood contained 10 times the amount of fentanyl necessary to kill an intolerant adult user. Casias and the father of Aviyana, Alonzo Ray Montoya, called the police after they reportedly found their child unresponsive and not breathing.

According to arrest documents, police said Montoya and Casias were both seen on home surveillance cameras using fentanyl and crack cocaine with Aviyana present the evening before she was found dead.

Per police, Aviyana can be seen on surveillance footage playing on the bed in the master bedroom. People were using drugs in the room and other drugs were present. At points throughout the evening, the teething almost-two-year-old can be seen placing items in and around her mouth.

Police said camera footage showed Aviyana was put to bed on Jan. 2, 2022, at 12:34 a.m. and she was not checked on until 1:18 p.m. the same day, more than 12 hours later.

In April, Montoya was sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Both Montoya and Casias will serve time in the Department of Corrections.

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