Father Charged With Murder After Investigators Say 10-Month-Old Died From Fentanyl Toxicity

CONCORD, NC — A Cabarrus County father is facing a second-degree murder charge after authorities say his 10-month-old daughter died from exposure to Fentanyl.

Timothy Tatum was charged with 2nd Degree Murder on Wednesday.

Investigators say the charge was issued after the State Medical Examiner’s Office released the results of the infant’s autopsy and toxicology tests. According to those results, 10-month-old Tania Tatum died as a result of Fentanyl Toxicity.

Tania reportedly died around 9:38am on May 24, 2018 after authorities were called to a home on Knightbridge Drive in reference to an unresponsive infant.

Tatum and the child’s mother, Ashley Lee, were both taken into custody at that time.

Tatum was initially charged with Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Possession of Cocaine and Maintaining a Dwelling to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance and Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance. Charges for Trafficking Opium or Heroin, Maintaining a Vehicle to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number were later added in June.

Lee was also initially charged with Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Trafficking Opium or Heroin, Possession of Cocaine and Maintaining a Dwelling to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance after her daughter’s death.

On June 15th, investigators additionally charged each parent with Felony Negligent Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Tatum is currently being held without bond until his next court appearance on December 20. Lee is being held under a $550,000 bond.