Two Circleville residents are facing charges following the death of their 20-month-old child.

According to the Circleville Police Department, police received a call Sunday, January 16th from Berger Hospital regarding a child not breathing in the emergency room. The child’s 3-year-old sibling, who was also ill and vomiting, was also brought into the hospital.

Life saving measures on the 20-month-old child were unsuccessful and the child was pronounced dead. The 3-year-old sibling recovered and was released.

An investigation into the incident revealed that both children had ingested Fentanyl at the family’s West High Street apartment. A search warrant was conducted, and officers located multiple items which were found to be positive for Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl.

The mother and father, identified as 26-year-old Brianna E. Roush and 25-year-old Nicholas D. Lee, both of Circleville, admitted to using and selling illicit narcotics such as Fentanyl and crack cocaine. The two told officers they were unaware of how the children acquired the Fentanyl.

Both Roush and Lee have been charged with first-degree felony involuntary manslaughter, second-degree felony attempted involuntary manslaughter, two counts each third-degree felony child endangerment, and fourth-degree felony trafficking in Fentanyl and fifth-degree felony possession of Fentanyl.

Stacy Lyn

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