YORK Co., Va. - Charges for the parents of a 2-year-old girl who died in York County last July have been upgraded.
On Thursday, York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office said Anna Raines, 29, and Jesse Gunn, 37, are now charged with homicide.
Back on July 7, the sheriff's office said deputies were called to the 100 block of Aberfeldy Way for an infant who stopped breathing. When paramedics arrived, they determined the child had passed away. Initially, Raines and Gunn had been charged with felony child neglect. Charges in the were upgraded after the sheriff's office received a report from the Chief Medical Examiner, which shows the cause of death as “Acute combined fentanyl and Xylazine overdose in addition to nicotine exposure; Laboratory evidence of SARS-Covid 19 Infection”.
A criminal complaint shows Raines called 911 to report her child wasn't breathing.
When investigators arrived at the scene, they said the child's front and back were discolored, and one of her arms felt colder than the rest of her body. There were also crease lines on the child's face as if she had been sleeping on pillows or sheets.
Court documents also show the house was in disarray when investigators arrived, with three cigarette butts and loose change found inside the child's crib, as well as urine-soaked blankets and suspected heroin inside the child's diaper bag.
Authorities said the child's parents gave conflicting statements about when they found the child unresponsive. Raines told investigators that she had overdosed on opiates in the past three days and that she was an avid user. The child's father, Gunn, also admitted to drug use.
People who live nearby were stunned, saddened and shocked about the child’s death. One neighbor told News 3 she had seen Raines and Gunn walking with their child and that they always seemed to be doting on her.
Timothy Raines, a 59-year-old male, who resides at the same address was also arrested on July 28, 2022 on 1 Felony count of Child Neglect.
