A Glen Burnie woman received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in a child abuse case that resulted in the death of her 2-year-old daughter from fentanyl intoxication. Tiffany Lynee Carr, 35, entered the plea to first-degree child abuse in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, where Judge Stacy McCormack imposed the term as part of an agreement between prosecutors and the defense. The sentence includes 25 years with all but 10 suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation. Carr must also complete substance abuse and mental health evaluations and treatment as directed by the court.
The Glen Burnie child abuse case stems from an incident on August 17, 2024, when Anne Arundel County police responded to a report of an unresponsive child in the 8000 block of Winding Road. Officers arrived at 7:15 p.m. and found the toddler, Nevaeh, lying face down on a futon. Emergency medical services attempted life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced dead at a hospital at 8:19 p.m. Investigators observed a homemade glass smoking device on a nearby end table. Carr, the child’s mother, and her boyfriend were transported to the hospital by police.
Authorities determined Nevaeh ingested fentanyl sometime between noon and 7:15 p.m. that day, with the cause of death listed as narcotic intoxication. Carr admitted to investigators that she consumed heroin at her residence at 6 a.m. and smoked crack cocaine at noon. She reported sleeping intermittently from around 2 p.m. while the child napped on the couch. Upon waking at 7 p.m., Carr found Nevaeh unresponsive, called 911, performed CPR, and administered two doses of Narcan. Crime scene technicians recovered the smoking device and drug capsules testing positive for fentanyl near the futon.
Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, “To say this is a tragedy is an understatement. Sadly, not a single person was in the courtroom today to speak on behalf of this child because there was no one else she could count on other than her mother. The actions of this Defendant were reckless, inexcusable, and showed total disregard for the safety of her toddler. This Defendant failed this child terribly and will have to live with the consequences.” Leitess added, “We will continue to fight every day to protect our most vulnerable.”
The prosecution in the Glen Burnie child abuse case was handled by Assistant State’s Attorneys Anastasia Prigge and Casey Marson, with the Anne Arundel County Police Department leading the investigation. The plea agreement reflects the seriousness of the charges while addressing Carr’s substance abuse issues through mandated evaluations.
In Maryland, first-degree child abuse is defined under criminal law as abuse causing severe physical injury or death to a minor under 18 by a parent or household member. Penalties include up to 25 years imprisonment if the violation results in death, according to state statutes. This framework guided the sentencing in the Glen Burnie child abuse case, where the child’s death elevated the charge.
The Glen Burnie child abuse case highlights ongoing concerns about opioid exposure in homes with young children. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has contributed to numerous fatalities across Maryland. Preliminary data indicate a decrease in overdose deaths in 2024, with 1,553 fatal overdoses reported statewide, down from previous years, per the governor’s office. In Anne Arundel County, near Southern Maryland communities like Calvert and Charles counties, such incidents underscore the need for secure storage of substances and awareness of Narcan availability.
Prosecutors in the Glen Burnie child abuse case emphasized the vulnerability of children in environments with drug use. The absence of advocates for Nevaeh in court, as noted by Leitess, points to broader challenges in child welfare systems. Maryland law requires reporting suspected abuse, and resources like the Department of Social Services assist in investigations.
The Glen Burnie child abuse case also aligns with state efforts to combat the opioid epidemic through education and enforcement. In 2024, Maryland saw a 30 percent drop in overdose deaths, attributed to expanded treatment access and naloxone distribution, according to health data. For Southern Maryland residents, similar risks exist in neighboring areas, prompting local agencies to promote prevention programs.
This sentencing in the Glen Burnie child abuse case serves as a reminder of parental responsibilities and the consequences of neglect involving controlled substances. As Leitess stated, efforts to protect vulnerable populations continue amid declining but persistent overdose trends.
