West Virginia father accepts plea deal in fentanyl death of 14-month-old son

WELLSBURG, W.Va. — A Follansbee man is facing years in prison after pleading guilty to child neglect resulting in death and gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury on Tuesday.

According to media partner Herald-Star, 36-year-old Zachary Thomas Henderson pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement in connection to the death of his 14-month-old child on Aug. 3, 2022.

It is reported that Henderson and the child’s mother, Rachel Camiletti, 36, also of Follansbee, left fentanyl where the child could reach and ingest it, resulting in his death.

According to the media outlet, Henderson’s Mar. 6, 2023, the indictment states the charge of child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury was filed because Henderson’s other two children also had access to the drug.

Camiletti was sentenced on Aug. 27 to two years of supervised probation and ordered to register with the state’s child abuse and neglect registry for 10 years after pleading guilty to child neglect resulting in death.

Herald Star reports that Henderson is scheduled to appear on Nov. 26 for a sentencing hearing where arguments may be made by his attorney, Sean Logue; and the Brooke County Prosecutor’s Office.

Henderson accepted a plea deal with the Prosecutor’s office, but his sentence will be determined by 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson. As part of the plea agreement other counts in the indictment were dismissed.

According to Herald-Star, Henderson could face three to 15 years in prison, a fine not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000, or both for the charge of child neglect resulting in death.

The charge of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury carries a penalty of one to five years in prison, a fine not less than $1,000 and not more than $3,000, or both.

Regardless of his sentence, it is reported that Henderson will be required, under state law, to register with the state’s child abuse and neglect registry for 10 years.

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